Test cricket still 'alive', says Lehmann

Melbourne [Australia], Feb 26 (ANI): Responding strongly to England batting all-rounder Moeen Ali's fears about the future of Test cricket, Australia head coach Darren Lehmann asserted that the longest format of the game is still very much "alive".

When quizzed whether he shares common views with Moeen Ali or not about the future of Test cricket, Lehmann said, "No, I don't."

Earlier, Moeen had expressed 'disappointment' over his future of Test cricket after he observed low crowd attendance in this winter's Ashes Test Series against Australia, which the home side went on to win by 4-0.

Lehmann, however, disagreed with Moeen's opinion as he claimed that cricket crowd during the recent Ashes series was great.

He emphasized that after the 1936-37 Ashes season, this is the second-most highest attended Test series in Australia.

"I thought the Ashes crowds were fantastic, our crowds were great. I think they broke all records, whether they were at the ground or watching, streaming or listening on the radio," cricket.com.au quoted Lehmann, as saying.

Respecting Ali's decision and praising England for playing well despite losing 4-0, the Australian coach said that he thoroughly enjoyed the series as it was `intense and outstanding`.

He stated, "It was an outstanding Test series. I'm not sure where it came from, but that's his opinion. From my point of view as a cricket fan, I loved it. It was great."

"I thought it was intense cricket. The games could have gone either way. Four-nil wasn't probably a fair reflection of how England played. I thought they played quite well," Lehmann added.

A total of 866,732 fans attended the five matches, with only the 1936-37 Ashes, in which Don Bradman's Australia won the series 3-2, attracting a bigger audience. (ANI)