Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has proposed a novel idea for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final just 24 hours after the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the dates and venue for the cricketing showdown. While cricketers and fans alike have debated the format of this ultimate Test cricket event, Lyon has added a fresh perspective, aligning his thoughts with Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma, who had previously expressed his disagreement with a one-off final match.
The WTC, designed to bring more context and excitement to Test cricket, sees the top nine Test teams battle over a two-year cycle. The culmination of this contest is a single deciding match to crown the ultimate champion. The format has seen criticism, particularly following India’s loss to Australia in the previous WTC Final, when Rohit Sharma vocalized his support for a three-match series to determine the winner.
Reflecting on the outcome, Rohit had said, “I would like to play a 3-Test match series for the WTC Final. We worked hard and we fought, but we played just one game. I think a three-match series would be ideal in the next WTC cycle.” This suggestion was met with a contrasting view from Australian captain Pat Cummins, but now finds an ally in Nathan Lyon.
Lyon not only concurs with Sharma’s proposal but takes it a step further, suggesting that a three-match WTC Final series should be held across three different nations. As per Lyon, these matches could take place in England, Australia, and India — each of which provides unique playing conditions and challenges.
“One thing I would like to see, I’d like to see the World Test Championship Final potentially in a three-match series. That may become a little bit better because you potentially can lose a Test match in one session where [in a three-match series] it may allow teams to bounce back or show their dominance and win 3-0. We’re pretty time-poor anyway and that’s going to be a challenge but that’s one thing I would change,” Lyon elaborated in his discussion with the ICC.
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Further elaborating on his idea, the 36-year-old Australian spinner added, “You potentially could go one in England, one in India, one in Australia, so you have all different conditions, but obviously, the timing of that changes everything. I don’t think we’re going to get on the MCG in the middle of August, just putting it out there.”
Lyon believes that such a structure would not only offer a fairer competition but also showcase the adaptability and resilience of the teams battling for the championship. Moreover, his proposal echoes a shared goal of many cricketers and fans who strive for a format that fully captures the essence of Test cricket — endurance, strategy, and adaptability in varying conditions.
The WTC has been seen as the pinnacle of Test cricket, as Lyon emphasized in his conversation, noting its crucial role in preserving the format’s significance. “I’ll just say it’s [World Test Championship] the pinnacle for Test cricket. People say it’s sometimes a dead rubber when you turn 2-0 up in a three-match series or whatever it may be. But I feel like there’s no more dead rubbers. I’ve never considered them dead rubbers, but there’s always points on offer now. You look at us last year losing against West Indies at the Gabba hurt us a fair bit,” Lyon stated.
Lyon’s observations underline a shift in how cricketers perceive Test series, with the WTC providing constant stakes and removing the potential lethargy often seen in dead rubber matches. This competitive edge helps maintain high standards and commitment throughout the series, which is why Lyon and others see the WTC as a critical component of cricket’s future.
As the ICC reflects on these suggestions, the future of the WTC Final remains a hot topic within the cricketing community. Discussions will likely continue on the best format to truly test the abilities of the world’s top cricketing nations, ensuring the championship represents the highest honour in the longest format of the sport.
