Former Australian cricketer and coach Darren Lehmann has reignited a fierce debate within the sport by calling for the traditional coin toss in Test matches to be abolished. He argues the move is essential to prevent two-day contests like the recent Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne and to curb home-team advantage from doctored pitches.
The Case for Scrapping a 147-Year-Old Tradition
Lehmann's proposal is to simply grant the visiting team the choice of whether to bat or bowl first, eliminating the 50-50 chance of the coin flip. This staple of the game, introduced in the sport's first official match in 1877, is now seen by many experts as too powerful a factor. The call comes after England's victory inside two days at the MCG, where a green, bowler-friendly track created havoc.
"Get rid of the toss, away team chooses. Simple as that," Lehmann replied emphatically to a fan's post on X, which was shared by former Test star Jason Gillespie. Lehmann has been a long-term advocate for this change, first voicing strong opposition after Australia beat New Zealand in 2015.
A Growing Chorus of Cricket Greats
Lehmann is far from alone in his crusade. He expanded on his views in his autobiography, Coach, the following year, stating that the biggest threat to Test cricket is not T20 but the surfaces matches are played on. He warned that pitches are either too bland or too heavily weighted towards the home side.
His perspective is shared by some of the game's most iconic figures. The late Shane Warne was a major proponent, suggesting the change ahead of India's tour of Australia in 2018. Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has also pushed the International Cricket Council (ICC) to scrap the toss, acknowledging the psychological burden it places on touring teams.
Other legends backing the idea include Michael Holding, Ian Botham, Ricky Ponting, and Allan Border. Border suggested trialling the change, noting that "all visiting sides feel like they get stitched up by pitch preparation."
The Toss Trouble and ICC Inaction
The issue gained stark relevance during India's recent tours, where the team lost an astonishing 14 consecutive coin tosses—odds of about one in 16,000—which influenced series results in South Africa and England. This statistical anomaly highlights how much modern Tests can hinge on that single moment.
The ICC seriously considered investigating the removal of the coin toss in 2018. Internal notes revealed "serious concern about the current level of home team interference in Test pitch preparation." However, no formal action has been taken since, despite committee members being divided on awarding the choice automatically to the visiting team.
While some, like Holding, have noted the toss is good for television drama, he conceded that interest is waning and the need for a fair contest between bat and ball is paramount. Lehmann's ultimate solution is clear: by giving the away team the choice, host boards are incentivised to produce fairer pitches, ensuring the better side, not just the one winning the toss, triumphs after five days.
