Star Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has called for more women's Tests and has urged some of the other leading cricket nations to get on board.
Perry says the game needs to build on the success of the Women's Big Bash League and international T20 matches and there is plenty of talent in the world outside of England who can play Test cricket.
"I certainly think there's other countries in the world that are up to that standard and have been for a number of years ... countries like New Zealand, South Africa and India, they've got to want to do it as well," said the 27-year-old.
Speaking ahead of Australia's three-match T20 series against New Zealand that begins at North Sydney Oval on September 29, Perry said more cricket at a professional level would help quicken the sport's development.
"The best players in the world are playing consistently all year round," she said. "Over the last 12 months, in particular with T20 cricket, the average total scores for teams has just gone through the roof and I think it's a real marker for the next couple of years."
That development was clear over the English summer which saw records smashed in women's cricket with England posting a new international T20 high score of 3-250, eclipsing New Zealand's record by 34 runs.
The Trans-Tasman series will give the women's team much needed preparation before the World T20 tournament in November.
Perry smashed a double ton in the Test against England last year at North Sydney Oval and the venue is also a happy hunting ground for young gun Ash Gardner, who scored the fastest ton in the WBBL.
"The world T20's not that far away ... and being able to play New Zealand, which is one of the top T20 teams in the world is going to put us in good stead for that," said Gardner.
Australian Associated Press
