Women's Ashes: Players Push for Three-Test Format

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Australia and England Players Advocate for Change

Players from Australia and England are calling for future Women’s Ashes series to feature three Test matches instead of the current single-Test format. Despite growing support for this proposal, scheduling challenges make it unlikely in the next four years.

The upcoming Ashes series includes a single Test, scheduled as a four-day match under lights at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It is the series’ concluding fixture for the first time since 2013. This match carries significant weight, offering four points for a win and two points for a draw, potentially deciding the series outcome.

A multi-Test format could elevate the series.
Scheduling conflicts pose obstacles to this shift.
The MCG Test highlights the growing interest in women’s cricket.

Ashleigh Gardner Leads the Call

Ashleigh Gardner, Australia’s allrounder and star of the 2023 Ashes, is a strong advocate for including three Test matches. Gardner, who delivered a stellar 8-wicket performance in the previous Ashes Test, expressed her passion for more Test opportunities.

She acknowledged the logistical challenges, stating, “It would be tough with how busy our summers are.” Despite this, she emphasized that playing only one Test feels like a “novelty” and highlighted the excitement of a prolonged battle against England.

Gardner also pointed out the difficulty of fitting additional Tests into a packed calendar. She mentioned competing obligations like overseas tournaments, adding complexity to scheduling multi-Test series.

England’s Tammy Beaumont Joins the Push

Tammy Beaumont, England’s star batter, echoed Gardner’s sentiments. She highlighted the narrative-building potential of a multi-Test format, referencing how rivalries evolve during prolonged series.

“The best thing about the Ashes is the narrative,” she said, citing examples like the India-Australia men’s Test series, where recurring battles between players create lasting memories. Beaumont believes these stories deepen the appeal of Test cricket and make it an invaluable format.

Both players agreed that more Test matches could showcase their skills and further promote women’s cricket globally.

Scheduling Challenges and Future Outlook

Outgoing Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley acknowledged the demand for more multi-format series but pointed out the challenges of an already packed international calendar.

“What I would like to see is more countries playing multi-format series regularly,” Hockley said. However, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) moving to January in the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) complicates the possibility of scheduling additional Tests.

For at least the next four years, the Ashes series will occupy a window outside Australia’s prime summer holiday season, reducing its visibility compared to concurrent men’s matches.

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Rebuilding Momentum in Australia

The 2023 Ashes in England attracted record-breaking crowds, but Australian women’s cricket has struggled to regain the momentum lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020 T20 World Cup final at the MCG saw a crowd of 86,174, but subsequent disruptions slowed progress.

Ashleigh Gardner expressed optimism about the current series rekindling interest, urging fans to support the Ashes as they did the men’s series. “The Ashes are such a big series, right behind the World Cup in my opinion,” she said, emphasizing its importance for the team and fans.

A Glimpse of the Upcoming Series

This year’s series will include:

A four-day Test at the MCG.
T20I matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Adelaide Oval.

Both Gardner and Beaumont remain hopeful that the excitement generated by these matches will inspire more significant changes to the Women’s Ashes format in the coming years.