Scenes of West Indies’ triumphant cricketers taking to the Gabba podium without a trophy after the second Test has once again put post-series presentations into the spotlight.
Sunday was Australia’s second loss at the Gabba in 35 years and the first time Australia have lost a Test at home to a team other than India and South Africa since 2011.
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Shemar Joseph was deservedly named player of the match but the post-match presentation was somewhat anticlimactic after the series ended 1-1.
Pat Cummins and the Australian team retained the Frank Worrell Trophy but their celebrations were understandably muted as they raised the trophy immediately after a rare loss on home soil.
The West Indies later gathered on the podium to mark their first Test win in Australia since 1997, but many thought they should have been up on the stage with the Aussies given the series was drawn.
“This was WI long after the presentation,” commentator Alison Mitchell wrote on X, sharing a video of the Windies posing for photos.
“Time to forget the idea of ‘retaining’ a trophy? Massive anti-climax when the Aussies were called up to lift the F-W Trophy having lost a thriller and series drawn 1-1.
“WI deserved to be on the podium with them to share it.”
The scenes reignited calls for two-Test series to become three or five match series that have more likelihood of giving a result.
Australia will take on the West Indies in three ODIs and three T20s to wrap up the tour.
Commentator Brett Sprigg wrote: “As much as I’d love a deciding Test, the conclusion to the series fuels the fire for at least the next (Windies away, June 2025).
“Admittedly that is also only a two Test series, and they don’t come back to Aus before 2027.”
England are playing India in a five-Test series and Australia will also play five Test against India next summer for the first time.