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Lanning keen for five-day women's Tests

3 minute read

The Australian women's cricket team will play two Test matches this summer, and captain Meg Lanning is embracing the challenge.

MEG LANNING
MEG LANNING Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Australia captain Meg Lanning is keen for women's Test matches to be expanded to five days, and she would love to see multi-day cricket played at a domestic level.

Test matches in women's cricket are a rarity, and currently the games can only go for a maximum of four days.

Lanning would love to see that extended to five - the same as for men's Tests - and for players to be better prepared for long-form cricket by playing a multi-day format at a domestic level as well.

Currently, Australia's domestic competition features just 50-over and T20 cricket.

"In terms of the length (of Test matches), I think it makes sense to take it out to five days ... you'll get a lot more results," Lanning said.

"We saw in the one recently with England and India that there was a little bit of rain around, and once that happens it makes it pretty difficult to get a result.

"It also makes a lot of sense if we are going to be playing more Test matches internationally to have some sort of domestic structure in place.

"I'm not sure exactly how you do that. It's hard to get better at something if you're not practising and doing it at the level below."

Since 2009, there have been just nine women's Test matches, with Australia involved in six of those.

The recent clash between England and India was affected by rain and ended in a draw.

Australia will take on India in a Test match at the WACA Ground from September 30 to October 3.

It will be the first women's Test match between the two nations in 15 years.

Australia will then host England at Manuka Oval from January 27 to January 30.

Lanning is embracing the trend towards more Test cricket.

"The hunger is certainly there to play more Test matches. I hope down the track that more countries are wanting to become involved in it," Lanning said.

"The more we play the better it will get and the better spectacle it will be.

"India are a cricketing powerhouse, and we've seen it in the men's game what an impact they can have on cricket around the world, and I think the women's side of things is no different to that.

"Hopefully this Test match being part of the series against them is not just a one-off. Hopefully it's the start of something that will continue into the future."

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