In the run-up to a highly anticipated one-off women’s Test between India and England, the captains of both teams have advocated for a more aggressive style of play, and there is a brewing debate about the duration of women’s Test matches. England captain Heather Knight has strongly voiced her preference for extending women’s Test cricket to five days from the current four-day format. Her stance comes from a desire to see more definitive outcomes in a sport where women play significantly fewer Test matches than their male counterparts. From November 2017 till the present day, merely seven women’s Test matches have been organized, with a solitary match yielding an outright result—a five-day engagement between Australia and England.
The infrequency of tests for women cricketers has prompted Knight to suggest that proactive strategies may be required to force results within the four-day structure, proposing that “We might have to accelerate the game artificially a little bit. In four days, you have to force the result a little bit more.”
India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur also lays emphasis on a victory-oriented approach, especially given the constraints of the four-day Test format. Advocating for a strong mindset, Harmanpreet has conveyed her team’s intention to approach the upcoming matches from a position of strength: “Rather than just thinking that you have to last in a four-day game, in these two Tests, our approach will be to play to win. […] Our batting is sorted, we have played some good cricket. In the bowling too, Deepti (Sharma) and Sneh (Rana) are there, their spells will hopefully get us wickets.”
The recent past has been a mixed bag for both teams in Test matches. England has not savored victory since 2014, drawing a number of matches but failing to secure a win. Knight has acknowledged the long gap since the last triumph, emphasizing the emphasis on achieving desired results by adhering to the team’s game strategy. For India, their Test encounters in 2021 have ended in draws, and they are looking back at their last home victory, which occurred in Mysore against South Africa—a match featuring both Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana—as a source of inspiration.
The transition from white-ball to red-ball cricket poses a challenge, coming off the heels of a brief interlude post the T20Is. However, Harmanpreet believes that simplicity in mindset is vital, and that the team’s focus on playing positive cricket will be pivotal. “The (colour of) the ball has changed but the approach will be the same,” asserts the Indian captain, underlining the psychological aspects of the game.
Additionally, Harmanpreet alludes to the potential of adopting aggressive field placements and emphasizes the importance of winning sessions. With the captains expressing their eagerness and strategy moving forward, it is evident that both teams are looking forward to making this Test a memorable one, filled with competitive spirit and a drive to reinstate the importance of result-oriented Test matches in women’s cricket.
As players switch gears and don their traditional whites, cricket fans around the world anticipate a contest that not only showcases the skill and tenacity of the teams but also serves as a potential turning point in the discussion surrounding women’s Test cricket and the significance of its duration. Both captains are approaching the game with nerves and excitement, ready to put their preparations to the test. The countdown has begun for a match that could potentially shape the future of women’s Test cricket.