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Andrew McDonald calls for two-match Test series to be scrapped
Follow Us"I think two-Test-match series should be put on the back burner," the Australia head coach said
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald wants two-match Test series to be "put on the back burner," adding that he would like to see at least three matches played in each series.
Outside of matches played in England, Australia or India, more than three matches are very rarely played these days, which according to McDonald, needs to change. However, according to the ICC, a series should consist of at least two matches to be part of the World Test Championship (WTC).
"I'd encourage that the minimum number of Tests against a nation should be three," McDonald said.
"I think two-Test-match series should be put on the back burner, and that would show the importance of Test cricket to every nation if it was a minimum of three Test matches."
Reflecting on the recently-concluded Ashes series, McDonald, who played four Tests for Australia, said that the entire series was captivating. Australia surrendered a 2-0 lead following wins at Edgbaston and Lord's to eventually finish all-square at the end of it.
"There were two contrasting styles coming in, and it just shows you that you don't have to play one way in Test-match cricket. And I think that was captivating for most people on the outside," he said.
"Even if it was 3-1 and we'd won that, or it was 3-1 to England, the whole way that both teams went about it - Pat [Cummins] leading our side, Ben [Stokes] leading England, the way the teams prepared and went about their work - [they] had some key decision to make in selection, it all meshed into this weird and wonderful series. It was fascinating."
McDonald also applauded the fans who turned up in huge numbers for all five Tests. He reckons it is terrific for Test cricket to have so many people turn up for it.
"You love seeing people line up the gates, and you get to the ground in the morning, and there's just a murmur, there's a buzz," he said.
"And they're keen to go and watch a Test match. To me, that's really important for the landscape of Test-match cricket.
"It was exciting, and there were a lot of English supporters who said well done and congratulations, so I think it captivated a nation. I think it captivated our nation as well, and I think that's a real positive thing for Test cricket."
