Women's Test cricket should be played in a 5-day format: ICC Chairman

ICC Chairman Greg Barclay expressed that he wants the women's Test format to be extended to five days but is unsure whether the long format will be part of the women's cricket future "landscape." Women's Test matches currently last four days, unlike men's Tests, which last five days.

So far, only five test matches have been played since 2017; all ended in a draw. Subsequently, only three nations have played a women's Test match in the recent five years: England, Australia, and India.

After the drawn Ashes Test in January, England captain Heather Knight advocated five-day Tests, while England spinner Kate Cross believed women cricketers were strong enough to cope with the physical demands of longer matches.

Barclay said, "Most people would say five days are required. If they are going to play it, My personal view is they should have five days to play it in."

Shorter cricket formats, according to Barclay, are more popular. 

 "ODI and T20I cricket were more appealing to fans and broadcasters are putting their resources" "It is what is driving the money."

"To play Test cricket, you have got to have structures domestically. They don't really exist in any of the countries at the moment. I can't really see women's Test cricket evolving at any particular speed. England will host South Africa in a one-off Test later this month, in what will be the visitors' first Test since 2014."

Barclay says that it isn't 'to argue' that any country that wishes to play Test cricket can't. However, he believes it is not a significant part of the landscape anytime soon.