In the lead-up to the much-anticipated one-off Test match between India and England, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana expressed her enthusiasm for the prospect of a Women’s World Test Championship (WTC). However, her sentiments received a dissenting note from England’s seasoned campaigner, Tammy Beaumont, who argued that such a competition might be premature due to the limited participation of nations.
While the ICC initiated the Men’s World Test Championship in the 2019-2021 cycle, the women’s game is yet to witness a comparable structure. Smriti Mandhana, acknowledging the allure of men’s Test cricket and championships, expressed her interest in being part of a Women’s WTC. She emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the boards and the ICC.
Women’s World Test Championship : Need of hour?
The upcoming one-off Test between India and England, scheduled to begin at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday, adds significance to the discussion. It marks India’s return to Test cricket after a two-year hiatus, while England last played Tests about six months ago in the Women’s Ashes against Australia.
Tammy Beaumont, with eight Tests under her belt in a career spanning a decade, voiced reservations about the timing of a women’s WTC. She highlighted the existing disparity in the number of matches played, with only England, Australia, and India participating regularly in women’s Test cricket.
Beaumont suggested that given the limited participation, especially by nations with the financial means to host women’s Test cricket, a WTC might not be viable without substantial investment from the ICC. She urged cricketing nations to focus on organizing more bilateral Test matches and encouraged the inclusion of teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand to promote women’s Test cricket on a broader scale.
As perspectives clash on the potential introduction of a Women’s World Test Championship, the cricketing community awaits the outcome of the India-England Test, where the players’ performances might add new dimensions to this ongoing debate.
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