“It would be great if more countries play Test cricket.” Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana calls for the involvement of more nations in the red-ball format.
The Indian women’s team led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur recently played an all-format series that included a one-off Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai against the touring South African side led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt. The Women in Blue completed a hard-fought 10-wicket victory in the red-ball format and displayed a clinical show in both the white-ball formats.
The home side broke multiple records throughout the all-format series and particularly in the red-ball format. India continued their dominant run in the red-ball format, extending their 18-year-long unbeaten streak in the format since August 2006. Especially in recent times, they have managed to get over the line in the red-ball format against the likes of England by 347 runs and Australia by eight wickets in December 2023 to cap off the year on a high.
Currently, there are only four ICC member nations, India, Australia, England, and South Africa, actively participating in the red-ball format as far as the women’s game is concerned. The New Zealand Women’s team last played a Test match in August 2004. The West Indies, and Pakistan side last played the red-ball format in March 2004. Sri Lanka played their only Test match in 1998, while Ireland played their only Test match in July 2000. Bangladesh so far are the only ICC member nation who haven’t got the taste of the red-ball format at the international level.
“It would be great if more countries play Test cricket, because everyone will get a lot of exposure. I feel Test cricket is the best format to play because it takes a lot of patience, match temperament and thoughts. A Test match tests a player.” The star Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana speaks about why more countries should participate in the multi-day format and what it means for a player to be a part of it at the international level.
One of the prime examples of why red-ball format is considered as the ultimate pinnacle in cricket, was the way the Proteas women showed, grit, determination and resilience to bounce back after being asked to follow on by the Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in a one-off Test match in Chennai last month. The Laura Wolvaardt-led side not only took the game to the final day, but also ensured that the Women in Blue had to bat again and chase down a 37-run target in the 4th innings of a Test match.
Recently, many established, former, and current players including Sneh Rana and experts have voiced their opinions on the introduction of a multi-match Test series and also a potential introduction of the World Test Championship cycle for women, to make it more competitive and engaging.
(Quotes sourced from Times Now).
