West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has made another desperate plea for his team to play more Test cricket after they crashed to their quickest defeat against Australia in 93 years.
After fears around the competitiveness of the West Indies before the first Test began, the tourists slumped to a 10-wicket defeat before lunch on day three in Adelaide.
Unable to last a combined 100 overs across both batting innings, the West Indies' defeat in 1112 balls marked their quickest against Australia since their maiden tour in 1931.
The result means Australia's hold on the Frank Worrell Trophy will last into a fourth decade, with West Indies unable to reclaim it since Australia's famous 1995 victory in the Caribbean.
Cricket's financial distribution model remains an issue, with an imbalance in match fees and contracts across nations leading to sides outside Australia, India and England struggling to fend off the lure of big-money franchise leagues.
West indies are without several of their big names on this tour as they prioritise the money that comes with Twenty20 cricket, while Pakistan had similar issues earlier in the summer.
But after raising conerns before the Adelaide Test, Brathwaite remains adamant his team's lack of red-ball cricket is more of an issue, with only Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe playing less Tests in 2023 and 2024.
"Funding is great, but we need to play a lot more games," Brathwaite said.
"Last year, we played six games. Even if we play a six in a year, I pretty much won't mind if the six games are back-to-back series.
"You've got to play to learn. And it's hard for a guy to play, even if he fails or succeeds. But then your next Test match is six months away."
There is some hope for West Indies, with nine Tests scheduled in 2024 and the likes of quick Shamar Joseph shining on debut.
But coach Andre Coley expressed fears this week it may only be a matter of time before Joseph and other rookies are drawn to franchise leagues.
"It's obviously a lot of discussions we'll have with management and Shamar," Brathwaite said.
"Obviously everyone will possibly want him now. We've just got to do our best to keep him in a good program and a good structure.
"Nothing's wrong with playing franchise cricket, but obviously when it's a Test series you'd love to have your best team."
The decline in competitive Test cricket looms as an issue for Australia in broadcast deals, while all tickets for Saturday in Adelaide are to be refunded.
Australia's captain Pat Cummins said it was important officials found ways to incentivise Test cricket.
"This week we had 60,000 people turn out, you want to keep incentivising Test cricket because the fans want it, especially here in Australia," Cummins said.
"Whatever we can do to keep incentivising Tests above some of the other franchise cricket at times (is important)."
