New Delhi: The International Cricket Council plans to introduce a two-tier format in Test cricket to create greater competition before India’s tour of England for five Tests that begins on June 20.
ICC chairman Jay Shah and head of the apex boy’s strategic growth committee Richard Thompson have held discussions on the matter and will put together a plan on how to implement it.
As the next cycle of the World Test Championship is only five months away, the ICC is pressed for time to come up with a two-tier system and implement it.
“It is fully understood that the current structure does not work in the way it should and we need to find a fairer, better competition, but at this stage no recommendations have been put forward,” Thompson, who is also the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman, told The Telegraph Sport.
“We have five months to work on this, step back and look at what the structure should be going forward. The World Test Championship should be fairer and more competitive. It is going to change to ensure it always encourages the best teams to reach the final and encourages other nations that want to play Test cricket, to play Test cricket.
“We will protect, grow and ensure the integrity of Test cricket because the format is crucial to the DNA of the game.”
The ICC are also keen to explore the possibility of four-day Tests, facilitating boards of cricket countries to schedule three-Test series around franchise T20 leagues.
Criticism of current model
In current WTC model, all teams don’t face each other in two-year cycles and standings are often inconsistent in case of an excess of two-Test series. It has drawn a lot of criticism from all quarters.
Then competition’s integrity has often been questioned as India and Pakistan don’t host each other in bilateral series citing security reasons due to geo-political tensions.
South Africa qualified for the WTC final without facing Australia, preparing to meet them in the title round at the hallowed Lord’s cricket ground in June.
In the proposed model, top-ranked teams will take on each other more frequently, evoking negative reactions from prominent figures of lesser known teams.
Former West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd, ex-Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, former England pacer Steve Finn and Bangladesh batter Mominul Haque have voiced their concerns.
“All these countries have worked very hard to get there. We have been in ICC for nearly 100 years. We’ve a great history and now you’re going to tell us, because of a monetary situation, this is how it’s going to be,” Llyod has said.
“Sport isn’t just about Pounds, Dollars and Rupees. Administrators must nurture and protect the game.”
ICC chairman Jay Shah and head of the apex boy’s strategic growth committee Richard Thompson have held discussions on the matter and will put together a plan on how to implement it. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
