'There's obviously been a lot of draws in women's cricket' - Heather Knight on need of 5th day in women's Tests

Recently India and England played out the one-off Test in Bristol. This was the first Test for the Indian team in seven years and it ended in a thrilling draw. As a matter of fact, for the English team as well, it was the first time in two years that they were playing Test cricket. After the match, England skipper Heather Knight called the match ‘a great advert’ for Women’s Tests. 

In the only match, England scored 398 batting first. They restricted India to just 231 runs in their first innings and asked them to follow on. India managed to sneak in with a draw after a brilliant ninth-wicket stand between wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia and debutant Sneh Rana, whose knock of unbeaten 80 played a key role in the 104-run stand. 

“It’s been a great advert and shows that women’s Test cricket has a place in the game,” Heather was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo, and she admitted that it was disappointing to miss out on a win. “What a brilliant game of cricket. It was unfortunate it didn’t have the dramatic and exciting finish that it could have done but what a game of cricket. I think it’s almost a shame that today it fizzled out a little bit,” she added. 

Almost robbed of that finish because there wasn’t an extra day: Heather Knight

India had scored 344 for 8 in their second innings and had a lead of 171 runs when the match was called to be a draw. Unfortunately, a fourth-inning run-chase by England was not witnessed as the Test was a four-day affair, unlike the men’s version, which played over five days. “It was set up to be very good and very exciting, but I think it’s been a brilliant advert. We’ve had some great skill on show, some youngsters come in from both sides and play outstandingly,” said Heather.

Heather further said that she would be open to the idea of playing five-day games in women’s Test cricket. There was a significant loss of time on day three where rain had intervened. “I would definitely be open to it (five-day Test). There’s obviously been a lot of draws in women’s cricket, in previous games, so yeah, it’s definitely something I think that should be looked at,” Knight added. 

She further said that her team would have loved the opportunity to get a finish in the match had it gone to the fifth day. “I think if there was another day, what a great finish it would have been. “(We were) almost robbed of that finish because there wasn’t an extra day, and we didn’t have the time in the game. So, yes, something I’d definitely be open to,” Knight concluded.