Australian vice-captain Alex Blackwell has urged men’s cricket to adopt the women’s Ashes multi-format model to counter packed international schedules.
The women’s Ashes series which starts on Sunday is decided on a points system across one Test, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches.
Four points are given for a Test win and two for a draw, with two points awarded for victories in one-dayers and T20s.
The format has proved a huge success with punters, with the Ashes opener – Sunday’s first ODI in Brisbane – a sell-out at Allan Border Field.
“I understand the balance that needs to be struck with schedules,” Blackwell said.
“This multi-format Ashes has been a wonderful success for us and it’s something that men’s cricket could look at.
“I would love to play all top eight nations in this format also (in women’s cricket).
“Maybe I am dreaming but it is great to test yourself against the opposition across all formats.”
The Australian women’s Ashes preparation has been disrupted by rain in Brisbane this week.
They only have an intra-quad game on Friday before coach Matthew Mott decides on his side for the opening ODI.
Blackwell believed Mott may not make a final call on his line-up until Sunday’s coin toss.
“It may depend on conditions on the day,” she said.
“I wouldn’t want to be a selector, that’s for sure.
“But we are confident that whatever team walks out on Sunday, England will find it intimidating.”
Australia are looking to defend their Ashes title and bounce back from a shock World Cup semi-final loss to India this year.
They will also be without captain and world No.1 batter Meg Lanning (shoulder) for the summer.
England are considered Ashes favourites in the wake of their World Cup triumph.
After three ODIs, Australia take on England in an historic day-night Test at North Sydney Oval from November 9 before the series closes with three T20s.
matth
Guest
I think it would be a good format against some of the other teams and for some overseas tours. EG Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan. It won't always work for Australia as we are still strong on test cricket, but I could see it working for, say NZ vs Ireland or Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan. The 'lessor' sides would be stronger in the short formats, so this would give them a better chance of competing, and outside of Australia, England and India, crowds are better for limited over cricket anyway.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Blackwell may be a decent player but this suggestion reveals how ignorant she is of men's cricket, it's history and tradition. Apart from playing this summer's Ashes series on flat roads, i can't think of anything more destructive to a men's Ashes series than what she has proposed. It may work for the women's game but it would ruin the men's. A very silly suggestion indeed!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Maybe, I'd be curious to know if the women want to be playing lots of test cricket or if most of them actually prefer the shorter formats and just the odd test match here and there is plenty for them. There is an aspect with women's cricket that, since they don't have the history and tradition that is there in men's cricket, they can just come up with their own ways of doing things very different from how the men's game has always been, which they've done. As someone outside of that I can't comment as to whether they aren't playing many tests because they really prefer just playing the short-form games mostly, or if most of the players wish they could be playing lots of test cricket.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I think women should play more test cricket. It's an insult.
Loz
Guest
Spare me Alex! Your format works for your Ashes Ours works for the mens.... Just concentrate on your own cricket......
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I must admit I'm rather flabbergasted that someone like the VC of the Australian women's cricket team would have so little understanding of men's cricket as to make such a comment. Women don't play test cricket. They basically play 50-over and T20's. That's it. Then the Ashes roll around and they throw in a one-off test for good measure. But that's pretty much the only test that's ever played in Women's cricket (to the point that the ICC don't have test rankings for women's players). So for the women, for whom the limited overs formats are the main game, and the test just more like a bit of a fun addition occasionally, to suggest that the men, for whom the tests are the main game, and the limited overs matches thrown in for entertainment later in the season, should adopt the same model as the women shows a dramatic lack of understanding. Add on top of that the fact that there's a massive amount of history and tradition behind test cricket for men that the women just don't have and we want to hold onto that.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Nahhhhhhhhhhhhh.
James
Guest
Saying something like this should be grounds for dismissal from the Australia team right?
Roshan
Guest
Test cricket has its own relevance in the game of cricket. Points system with odi will lose its importance
Brainstrust
Guest
The women don;t have a packed schedule they have the total reverse a lack of schedule. The women hardly play any test cricket, I think the only teams left playing regulat test cricket are England and Australia and thats only one test match in the series. If the men copied the women the international season would be over in 3 weeks, what about the rest of the summer I see the hand of the Mark Taylor and Sutherland behind this. The real intention would be to have the Big bash being extended and international cricket shrunk. The weirdest thing about all this is that international cricket is making all the money at the moment. They and their marketing gurus are basing this on some weird speculation about commercial realities in the future.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
I don't think so. I understand that cricket, like all sports need to evolve over time, but there are some traditions that should never be touched, including the Ashes. I think tinkering with test cricket eg day/night games, is enough.