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Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has put forward a bold proposal for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final: a three-match series played across different countries. While acknowledging the logistical hurdles such a venture would present, Lyon contends that extending the final would better represent the essence of Test cricket. He argues that a single match, susceptible to the vagaries of a single session, fails to capture the true essence of this format, which emphasizes consistent performance over extended periods. Lyon's vision extends beyond a simple expansion of the final, advocating for a multi-match series that would be played in various locations, potentially across England, India, and Australia, thus introducing a diverse array of playing conditions. This would necessitate careful coordination and consideration for scheduling, as Lyon himself acknowledges, but he believes the potential benefits of such a format outweigh the challenges.
The heart of Lyon's argument lies in his belief that the WTC's unique two-year format sets it apart from other cricket tournaments. He emphasizes that unlike shorter, tournament-based competitions where teams can scrape through to the latter stages, the WTC demands sustained excellence over an extended period. Every match carries weight, and every point contributes to a team's overall performance. This emphasis on consistency, Lyon believes, is the cornerstone of Test cricket and the WTC format perfectly embodies this principle. He contrasts this with the traditional three-match series, where a team that loses the first two matches can be left with a meaningless final match, a scenario he terms a 'dead rubber.' The WTC format, however, removes this possibility, ensuring every match holds significance and incentivizes competitive spirit.
Lyon's perspective is informed by his own experiences within the WTC. He points to Australia's narrow defeat to the West Indies in Brisbane earlier this year as a prime example of how a single session can dramatically impact a Test match. This loss, a rare blemish on their WTC campaign, highlights the fragility of a single-match format. In contrast, a three-match series, he argues, would allow teams to recover from setbacks and showcase their true dominance over the course of the series. Lyon's vision extends beyond the technical aspects of the format, acknowledging the wider implications for the sport. He views the WTC as the pinnacle of Test cricket, equivalent to the World Cup in other formats. The WTC, he believes, embodies the spirit of true international competition, where teams face each other over a sustained period, battling for supremacy on the world stage.
Source: Nathan Lyon On WTC Final: Make It A Three Match Series Across Different Countries