Nathan Lyon proposes a three-match series for World Test Championship Final

Australia’s veteran spinner, Nathan Lyon, has proposed an intriguing new format for the World Test Championship (WTC) final that could revolutionize the way the championship is decided. Lyon, who has been a key player in Australia’s cricketing successes, suggested that the WTC final should be contested as a three-match series rather than a single Test. His idea involves hosting these matches across three continents: England, Australia, and India. Lyon believes that holding the final in different locations would allow the competing teams to showcase their skills under varied conditions, offering a more comprehensive test of their abilities. This format would not only test teams' adaptability across diverse playing environments but also ensure that the final is more reflective of a team’s overall performance rather than a single game’s outcome. He argues that a three-match series would provide teams with an opportunity to recover from a poor session or match, thereby adding a layer of fairness and excitement to the final.

However, Lyon also acknowledges the logistical challenges associated with this proposal. He points out that hosting the final across three venues might be problematic, particularly with scheduling and the impracticality of playing in certain conditions, such as Melbourne’s climate in mid-August. Despite these challenges, Lyon’s proposal highlights a creative approach to enhancing the World Test Championship and ensuring it remains a premier event in international cricket.

“One thing I would like to see, I'd like to see the World Test Championship Final potentially in a three-match series. That may become a little bit better because you potentially can lose using a Test match in one session where (in a three-match series) it may allow teams to bounce back all your show their dominance and win 3-0. We're pretty time-poor anyway and that's going to be a challenge but that's one thing I would change,” said Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon in a recent interview. 

“You potentially could go one in England, one in India, one in Australia, so you have all different conditions, but obviously, the timing of that changes everything. I don't think we're going to get on the MCG in the middle of August, just putting it out there,” he added.

Nathan Lyon has underscored the importance of every match within the World Test Championship (WTC) framework, highlighting that each game carries significant value and that no contest is a mere formality. Lyon reflected on this aspect, emphasizing that the WTC format ensures that every Test match contributes to the overall standings and affects the team’s chances of qualifying for the final.

Lyon specifically noted how every point matters in the current WTC system. He pointed out that Australia’s unexpected defeat to the West Indies at Gabba last year had a considerable impact on the team’s standing. At present, Australia finds itself in second place, trailing behind India in the points table. The loss to the West Indies was a poignant reminder of how crucial each Test is, and how a single defeat can influence a team’s position in the championship.

The WTC format, according to Lyon, keeps the stakes high throughout the series, as teams are constantly vying for points and striving to maintain their standings. This ongoing competitive edge is essential for preserving the integrity and excitement of Test cricket, ensuring that each match remains meaningful and contributes to the ultimate goal of reaching the championship final. Lyon's insights reflect the intense pressure and high standards of the WTC, reinforcing the idea that every game is pivotal in the quest for Test cricket’s top honors.

“Oh, yeah. I'll just say it's (World Test Championship) the pinnacle for Test cricket. People say it's sometimes a dead rubber when you turn 2-0 up in a three-match series or whatever it may be. But I feel like there's no more dead rubbers. I've never considered them dead rubbers, but there's always points on offer now. You look at us last year losing against West Indies at the Gabba hurt us a fair bit,” Lyon concluded.