The future of Test cricket is currently under heated debate. The three pillars of cricket are at the heart of the discussion surrounding the proposed two-tier structure. International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah and representatives from other top cricket boards are set to discuss the matter soon.
The ‘Big Three’ or ‘three pillars’ of cricket—Australia, England, and India—are advocating for a division of the world of Test cricket into two tiers. This proposal is scheduled to be discussed at the ICC this month. However, criticism of this plan has already begun. Legends like Clive Lloyd fear that, if implemented, teams like the West Indies could disappear from the cricket map. Former Sri Lanka and South Africa captains Arjuna Ranatunga and Graeme Smith have also expressed similar concerns.
Throughout this article, we explore whether the two-tier Test system will elevate cricket’s glory or contribute to the decline of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious format.
About The Two-Tier Test Cricket System
Test cricket has been losing popularity over the years, with the growing appeal of T20 and ODI formats causing a large section of the audience to shift their attention away from the longer format. In response, the top three teams in terms of revenue and viewership—India, Australia, and England—have proposed a new two-tier system. This plan is said to be aimed at making Test cricket more financially viable and is expected to come into effect after 2027. However, many cricket experts are questioning whether this approach will be beneficial for the future of Test cricket.
Under the proposed rules, the top seven teams will form the first tier, while the remaining teams will be placed in the second tier. The main goal of this structure is to increase competition among stronger teams, potentially boosting viewership and revenue. However, critics argue that this could marginalize smaller teams, pushing them further out of the mainstream of Test cricket.
“How are Zimbabwe, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh supposed to get better when they’re not playing against the better teams?”
The Spin panel on proposed two-tier Test cricket, from the possibility of promotion and relegation to financial concerns for ‘second-tier’ teams. pic.twitter.com/XaAXnrRqtC
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 9, 2025
Concerns Over Smaller Teams’ Growth
Moreover, if there is no promotion or relegation between the two tiers, second-tier teams will not have the opportunity to rise to the top level. Smaller teams will have fewer chances to play against bigger teams, which could limit their players’ development instead of improving their skills. Many former and current players have strongly opposed this system.
Opposition from Cricket Legends and Players
Bangladeshi batsman Mominul Haque Sourav directly opposed the proposal, saying, “This is disappointing. If we do not play against strong teams, how will our standards improve? If we play on a small scale, we will be stuck at the same level.” He believes the proposal will reduce the attraction and importance of Test cricket. Legendary West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd was even more critical, saying, “This is harmful to Test cricket. You can only improve by playing against strong teams, but this structure will push weaker teams away from the path of improvement.”
Former South African captain Graeme Smith also has concerns about the system. He said, “If teams like South Africa and West Indies are not strong, cricket will be limited to just three countries in the future.” Smith also suggested how to save Test cricket, stating, “The cricket world needs to strengthen South Africa, strengthen West Indies, strengthen Sri Lanka. Otherwise, what will happen?”
Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga criticized the proposal for focusing on financial gains rather than improving the quality of the game. He told Telecom Asia Sport, “I understand the economics. If something like this happens, the coffers of those three boards will swell, but sport is not just about pounds, dollars, and rupees. Administrators need to look after the game and keep it alive, not just line their own pockets.”
Support for the Proposal
However, former India coach Ravi Shastri and former England captain Michael Vaughan supported the proposal, stating that more competition between strong teams is necessary to save Test cricket. Shastri said, “The competition between the top teams will sustain Test cricket.” Vaughan added, “It will increase the quality of Test cricket and make the matches more interesting.”
Ravi Shastri suggests implementing a two-tier promotion and relegation system in the WTC to sustain interest in Test cricket.
He adds that cricket, in general, can be promoted in other formats like T20. pic.twitter.com/Btq3NSTBJM
— Ragav 𝕏 (@ragav_x) July 8, 2024
Among smaller teams, only the Cricket Ireland Board supported the system. Irish selector Andrew White backed the proposal, saying, “The two-tier structure will increase competition for the smaller teams.”
In Conclusion, There is still a lot of confusion about the two-tier proposal. Some believe it could breathe new life into Test cricket, but most fear it will only benefit the big teams and discriminate against the smaller ones. Only time will tell whether Test cricket will enter a new era or retain its traditional structure.