It's about being ambitious: Meg Lanning on women's Test cricket

The Australian women's team captain Meg Lanning has responded to the comments made by the ICC chair Greg Barclay about women's Test matches being held over a five-day format.

Greg Barclay recently commented on the same, stating that although women's Tests should be held in a 5-day format, it is not financially feasible since shorter formats garner more viewers. And added that women's Test cricket lacks domestic structure.

She thinks the leaders should be a little ambitious to include Women's red-ball matches in the near future. However, the 30-year-old added that proper structure needs to be laid out to help achieve the set objectives. 

Lanning felt that not every nation is in a position to feature in Test format but hopes it improves as time progresses. 

"We understand not every country in women's cricket is at the point where Test cricket is the main focus, and hopefully that can continue to develop over time," Lanning told The Age. 

"What was a touch frustrating was that we want to be ambitious and see what's possible."

The proficient batter reckoned that only teams like India, England, South Africa, and Australia have been involved in Test cricket. However, she added that the participation of most of the teams in the Test format should be on priority and needs a little push from the apex board. 

"At the moment, we've got India, England and South Africa now playing as well," Lanning said. "There are some opportunities there, and while some of the other countries aren't in a position at the moment to do that, that's fine, but I don't think that means we shouldn't try and push for that in the future and see what happens.

"It's about being open to the possibilities and being ambitious with where we want to go with the game. Hopefully in 10 to 20 years, there are ten countries that are playing Test match cricket, but it's not about it all happening right at this moment," Lanning added. 

The Australian women's team played one-off Test fixtures against India and England in September 2021 and January 2022, respectively, with both matches ending up a draw. 

For the remainder of the year, no red-ball games have been scheduled for the Aussie team. The main focus will be the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. 

"T20 cricket has been a really big driver for the women's game and will continue to be, and we understand that as well. But the chances we've had to play Test cricket have been incredible; we love it and hope to be able to play more."

Earlier, Barclay had opined that white-ball is the future of women's cricket. He added that broadcasters had put their money in the white-ball format, which will also be the focus of the cricket-playing nations. 

"If you look at the way cricket is going, there is no doubt that white-ball is the way of the future," Barclay said on the radio during the men's Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's.

"That is the game that is sought after by the fans, where the broadcasters are putting their resources, and what is driving the money. Therefore, the countries that are developing women's cricket will focus on that," he added.