Dean Jones wants a World Cup in Test cricket; says Day-night cricket will help the format

Dean Jones

Former Australia batsman Dean Jones has said that Test cricket needs a World Cup that would help provide a better perspective on which country is really Number 1 team in the world.

The 55-year-old, who is presently in India on commentary duties for the Tamil Nadu Premier League, said that unless all teams play and beat the other, one can’t clearly say who is the best Test playing nation in the world.

“With all respect to Pakistan or Australia (who were on top not long ago), you aren't a number one team until you have beaten everyone in the world. I would like to see World Cups in Tests. Australia were the No. 1 Test side earlier, but they don't play Bangladesh and Zimbabwe enough. On the other hand, Pakistan haven't played a Test against India for long. So how can you say they are the no.1 side? Until you have a proper World Cup in Tests, and till you give the format what it deserves, it's not going anywhere. D/N Tests will definitely add fizz to this format,” Jones said in an interview to Cricbuzz.

The Australian cricket team had a torrid time at the recently concluded three-match Test series against Sri Lanka on pitches that spun a lot. Talking about where the team went wrong, Jones pointed that the players need to use the sweep shot a lot more and get down the track as well.

“It requires physical courage to face the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Curtly Ambrose and Waqar Younis. But you need mental courage to play against good spinners on turning tracks. Up against the fast bowlers, you have to shuffle from the top to waist up. But, against a quality spinner you have to shuffle from the waist down.

“You have to learn how to set a bowler up for the lines and lengths you would like to play. You need the courage to go down the pitch, play a few sweeps to release the pressure created by the bat-pad fielder. I think a lot of guys (Australians) haven't worked that out,” he added.

When asked his views on the Tamil Nadu Premier League(TNPL), Jones felt that it could serve as a stepping stone for a lot of players, just like how the Pakistan Super League(PSL) was for Pakistan.

“It's a stepping stone for some of these kids or the young guys who are part of the competition. I know that after the success of Pakistan Super League (PSL), there were a few players who got picked for the Pakistan team within a month. I am sure there will be at least 3-4 players who would pop up from TNPL and could go on to play other leagues as well,” he said.