After the women’s Ashes Test match in Canberra played over 4 days ended in a draw the obvious question raised was why was it a four-day game and not five?
Well, historically women were considered to be not fit enough. The game of cricket has certainly evolved since its inception and it’s time to change the age-old thinking of women not being fit enough to play a five-day Test match.
According to the ICC’s rules, a Women’s Test match is played over four days wherein the players are expected to bowl 100 overs in a day. However, in a Men’s Test 90 overs are to be completed in a day.
In what was a stunning display of Test cricket, the one-off Test match between Australia and England ended in a draw on an intriguing fourth day. The last two hours produced some high-octane drama where both sides had their chances to grab a win but had to settle for a draw instead.
Meg Lanning’s gutsy declaration with 50 overs left in the day produced an incredible display of classic Test cricket, had there been another day to play the end story would’ve been different.
The cries to have five-day Test matches for Women can be heard far and wide. Australian player-turned-commentator Lisa Sthalekar tweeted, “The greatest Test match that I have been luckily enough to be involved in…Now for 5 day Test please.”
England’s Kate Cross said that the women’s game is “ready” to make the change.@katecross16 | #Ashes | #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/F4I6Xgwaf5
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 31, 2022
Kate Cross, the England seamer said,” I think we’re ready for five days of cricket now.”
Five Day Tests are a must in women’s cricket to produce more results. The international calendar for Women’s revolves more around the shorter format of the game that is the Women’s One Day Internationals and Women’s T20 Internationals, far fewer Test matches are played.
Considering how rarely a women’s Test match is played England captain, Heather Knight supported the 5-day game idea even before the one-off Ashes Test kicked off.
Long live Women’s Ashes!
Long live Women’s Test Cricket!#Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/PPSu9Wijwp
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 30, 2022
In today’s world, women are equal to men in all aspects of the game be it smashing sixes out of the ground, bowling long spells in test matches, or diving around in the field displaying some awe-inspiring athleticism.
Now it is up to the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee to decide the future of this magnificent format which we all dearly love and crave more for.
