England coach Lisa Keightley said the women’s game should “continue to evolve” after International Cricket Council president Greg Barclay’s “disappointing” comments about Test matches came.
Do not see any part of the landscape:-
Barclay said he sees the women’s Test as “no part of the landscape going forward”. England will play South Africa in a Test in Taunton next week.
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“The last few Tests have shown they are worth playing,” Australian Keightley told BBC Sport. England had a thrilling draw till the last ball of their last Test against Australia in January.
However, only England, Australia, and India have played the Women’s Test in the last seven years. South Africa’s last match came in 2014, while the last team outside that quartet to play Tests was the Netherlands 15 years ago.
Speaking to Test Match Special earlier this month, Barclay said: “I really can’t see women’s Test cricket developing at any particular pace.
Loves to Playtest cricket:-
“It’s not like any country that likes to play Test cricket can’t do that. But I don’t think it’s part of the landscape to any real extent going forward.”
But Keightley, who played nine Tests in an international career spanning 10 years, said: “As a coach in women’s cricket I find those comments disappointing. We have to continue to develop women’s cricket.”
One obstacle to the development of women’s Tests is the absence of multi-day, red-ball matches played in domestic cricket around the world.
Wales Cricket Board is “Eager” to introduce him:-
However, Keightley said the England and Wales Cricket Board is “Eager” to introduce him.
She was speaking on the sidelines of the announcement of England’s squad for the four-day Test starting Monday, which includes five uncapped players.
It begins a multi-format series, consisting of three One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 matches.
None of the last five women’s Tests have yielded results, prompting England captain Heather Knight to call for an extension to the five-day men’s Test match.
Can get results in four days:-
“You can get results in four days, even if it’s tough,” Keightley said. “You probably need both teams to be brave and you’ll likely need an announcement.
“At the moment, my priority is probably for four days because of the workload. Going forward, if we play them regularly I may look at five-day Tests.”
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Keightley, 50, revealed he has “no desire” to take on the vacant head coach role with his native Australia.
Matthew Mott stepped down as world champion and became the new white-ball coach of England’s men’s side. Keightley’s contract with England runs until early 2023.
“I am focused on doing my job for England and coaching here,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to making sure I terminate my contract.”
