Nathan Lyon proposes a three-match World Test Championship (WTC) final

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 05:37:37 GMT

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has put forward a bold suggestion to expand the World Test Championship (WTC) final into a multi-match series spanning different countries and continents. Lyon believes that this format would better reflect the spirit and endurance of Test cricket, rather than the current single-match format, which he feels can be decided by a brief moment or session rather than the overall consistency of the teams. Lyon's proposition comes at a time when India, having lost two WTC finals, are edging closer to securing their third appearance in the upcoming final at Lord's.

Multi-match WTC final across continents

Lyon suggested that the WTC final could be expanded to a three-match series to ensure that the result is not determined by a single session or one-sided conditions that may favor one team. In his view, spreading the series across different countries or even continents would provide a more comprehensive evaluation of a team’s strength over time, adding more depth to the WTC as the pinnacle of Test cricket.

"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 and 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, the best Australian spinner, since Shane Warne, with 530 wickets, tells ICC.

Lyon expanded the idea saying the matches can be in India, Australia and England. "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."

The Australian off-spinner emphasized that this format would enhance the championship’s value, reducing the impact of a single bad session and making the results more reflective of the overall prowess of the competing teams. "The WTC final is the pinnacle of Test cricket. It's about consistency over two years, not just one match. A multi-match final would ensure that the true essence of Test cricket is captured," Lyon stated.

Eliminating "Dead Rubbers" and celebrating consistency

Lyon also stressed that the current WTC format has made every match in a Test series significant by eliminating "dead rubbers," where teams often lose interest after winning a series. He noted that every match in the WTC cycle is now important due to the points system, which adds competitiveness and makes each game count toward the final standings.

Recalling Australia’s loss to the West Indies in Brisbane during the WTC cycle, Lyon highlighted how crucial every game is in determining the finalists. "You can't scrape through like in other formats. It’s about consistency. The WTC truly mirrors the World Cup for Test cricket," Lyon said, reinforcing the idea that the championship demands top performance across a two-year period.

As the next WTC final approaches in June 2025, with India once again in contention, Lyon’s call for a multi-match final across continents is likely to spark debate among players and cricketing authorities, all looking to uphold the prestige of Test cricket.