This suggestion, now, has a new, different version that Australia’s veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon has come up with for the final of the WTC. Instead of the solitary-match format, he says the final should be a three-match series in three various continents: England, Australia, and India. That is, he has said this type of format will offer the teams a chance to display their skills under different conditions and make up for any loss during the series.
Strategic thinker Lyon opined that a three-match series would enable teams that had been blown away in some poor sessions or two in the first Test to bounce back. Sometimes, this can be pretty brutal in the one-off final he says. “One bad session could define the result. With a series format, teams get the chance to get themselves out of that dark place and prove their dominance over several matches.
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Nathan Lyon, though, accepts the logistical challenges of this proposal. He hints at the challenge of scheduling and practicality for the finals of WTC venues like MCG in mid-August considering the weather and other aspects of scheduling. Still, he seems to love the idea because it serves as a way to make the WTC final that bit more competitive and fair.
Nathan Lyon ” WTC final potentially be played in a three match series. You can lose a test match in one session, 3 match series will allow teams to bounce back. You can play one match in Australia,one in England and one in India, So you will have all three different conditions.” pic.twitter.com/pIeD4xMQE6
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) September 4, 2024
Coming to reflect on the current format of the WTC, Nathan Lyon says, “No game needs to be a dead rubber as each carries points that can make much difference in the standings.”
The offie recalls the sting of Australia’s loss to the West Indies at the Gabba last year, which affected them so badly in the WTC table. He adds that WTC is the pinnacle of Test cricket, and every game that happens, no matter what context it has, is crucial for the teams looking to succeed.
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Anyway, Lyon also says he wants a three-match WTC final to be more about depth and equity to the competition since teams show their talent over a series of matches and through different conditions, which they eventually face in the finals.
