I’m happy with a one-off: Glenn McGrath weighs in on WTC Final debate

Post the culmination of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, contrasting opinions on the ideal course for the summit clash in terms of duration from the two captains made all the news. While Indian skipper Rohit Sharma batted for the need to organise it in a three-match series format, his counterpart, Pat Cummins, spoke on how he was happy with the current one-off match to decide the winners. 

After a crushing defeat in the grand finale of the WTC 2021-23, Rohit said, “Honestly, in a big event like this, you need to have fair opportunities for both the teams. You know, a three-match series would be nice, but it's about finding that window where it can fit in. June is not the only month we should play the finals. It can be played at any time of the year. And anywhere in the world, not just in England. It can be played anywhere in the world.”

Cummins retorted to the same, stating, “I think ideally you'd have-50 match series but the Olympics have come down to one race to win a gold medal. AFL, NRL seasons have finals. That's sport.”

Former Australian fast bowler, Glenn McGrath, had an intriguing take on this entire debate and chimed in with his two pence, adding, “Yeah, it's interesting. Depends on scheduling and sort of whether you say whoever is top of the table gets a home game. But again, it depends on the season and what you have, so I'm happy with a one-off because I think if you play three Tests, you're gonna find it tough to get it into this scheduling."

He further said, “Both teams haven't played a lot of Test cricket lately but that's the way it goes. You get on a bit of a roll going into that last day, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane needed to put on a big partnership. You lose an early wicket, that can happen. It's a one-off Test match. I wouldn't be too concerned.”