Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has suggested that the ICC World Test Championship Final should be played as a three-match series in different countries.
Although this would be harder to organize and schedule, Lyon thinks it would better show the true nature of Test cricket. He believes a single match can be decided by just one session, which might not always reflect the best team.
Lyon’s Thoughts on the World Test Championship
“This is Our World Cup”: Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon, who was a key player in Australia’s 2023 World Test Championship win, explained how important the competition is to him.
He praised the World Test Championship for its unique two-year format, which requires teams to play well over a long time. Unlike other tournaments, where teams might make it to the semi-finals even after some losses, the WTC demands consistent performance throughout the two years.
Three-Match Final Suggestion
Lyon proposed that the World Test Championship Final should be a three-match series. He thinks this would make the competition fairer, as one bad session wouldn’t decide everything. In a three-match series, teams would have a chance to recover or show their strength by winning all three games. Even though there are time challenges, Lyon still thinks it’s a good idea.
He also suggested playing the matches in different countries, like England, India, and Australia, to test teams in various conditions. However, he acknowledged that scheduling this would be difficult.
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Why the World Test Championship Format Matters
No “Dead” Matches
Lyon pointed out that the World Test Championship format ensures every match in a series is important. There are no “dead” matches where the result doesn’t matter. He recalled a match against the West Indies in Brisbane, where Australia lost because of a great bowling performance by Shamar Joseph. This was Australia’s only home loss in the current WTC cycle, putting them second behind India.
Lyon mentioned that in the WTC, every point counts, so every game is crucial. Losing to the West Indies at the Gabba had a big impact on Australia’s position.
World Test Championship is Like a World Cup
Lyon sees the World Test Championship as the Test cricket version of a World Cup. He believes it is the top competition in Test cricket, testing teams over two years against the best opponents.
For Lyon, the World Test Championship is just as important as a World Cup because it challenges teams to perform well for a long period against strong competition.
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