Nathan Lyon's call for Test cricket change spurred by painful moment 13 years ago

Nathan Lyon has urged cricket authorities to mandate that a Test series must consist of at least three matches as he reflects on the heartache of his first Test meeting with New Zealand more than a decade ago. In 2011, Lyon was the last man out as Australia were defeated by the Black Caps by 11 runs in Hobart, in the second match of a two-Test series.

The Aussie spinner was left distraught by the loss and annoyed that he was unable to help exact revenge on their trans-Tasman rivals. In a low-scoring affair, New Zealand set Australia a second-innings chase of 240 to win.

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David Warner carried his bat in a masterful knock of 123 not out, but he ran out of partners as Doug Bracewell took 6-40 to gave New Zealand a seven-run win. "I've still got that in my head," Lyon said at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

"All I remember is Davey batting at the end there with me ... we have 30 runs (to get) and he goes, 'if we chase down this total it'll be one hell of a party'. Then I got bowled with about 11 runs to get so we've missed out on the hell of a party."

Since then, two-Test series have become increasingly common. A tied series is a deeply unsatisfying result for cricketers and fans and Lyon believes it is a pitfall of the red-ball game. The future of Test cricket has been a hot topic throughout the summer and it was a major area that was addressed at the International Cricket Council board table last year.

Ahead of another board meeting in Dubai next month, Lyon has implored cricket executives to ensure a Test series is at least three matches, as he gears up for another two-Test series against New Zealand that begins on Thursday in Wellington. "I’d love to see a minimum of three Test matches,” Lyon told The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday.

"I feel like you get the best out of three games, if you’re good enough you win 3-0, but if you go down in the first one you can fight your way back and still win 2-1. I personally feel every Test series should be a minimum of three Tests, but that’s a decision for the powers that be.

"Every opportunity you get to play in a Test series, you want to be able to win it and win it outright. That’s a reason why I’d like to see three matches at the minimum, and the big series with the Ashes, that’s always going to be the same (five), we’re not going to move that to seven or nine, my workload would go through the roof. But a minimum three Tests, in my opinion. would be ideal."

Australia know the importance of the New Zealand Test series

Following a shock loss to the West Indies at the Gabba, Australia heads into the New Zealand Test series in real danger of missing the 2025 World Championship final. Australia currently sits third behind New Zealand and India and anything less than a series win for the Aussies could see them fall short of qualification.

"You've got to respect when the opposition plays well, and they outplayed us that game, so we’re out here to make sure we do all the right things," Lyon said. "We’re here to win this series 2-0.

"The WTC is a massive goal, it was a massive goal for us the last couple of years, and to be there and have won the second championship after New Zealand won the first one, every Test means something. For the Test players, it is our World Cup."

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