Top cricket bosses set to discuss radical two-tier system

by Admin
January 6, 2025

Some of the most influential figures in world cricket are looking to introduce a two-tier system for Test matches.

According to reports from The Age, Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird will join with England chairman Richard Thompson and ICC boss Jay Shah to discuss the move.

After an incredibly success Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which drew massive crowd across the country, the sport’s biggest voices are looking to cash in.

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Virat Kohli cops it from the SCG crowd after his dismissal. Getty

The proposed system would allow the big three nations – Australia, India and England – to play each other more often to create sustained interest.

Any plans for the change would come after the Future Tours Program in 2027.

“I’ve been a firm believer in that if you want Test cricket to survive and be alive and thriving, I think that’s the way to go,” Ravi Shastri said on SEN during the SCG Test.

“Top teams play against each other more, so there is a contest – you want contests.”

As it stands, the big three cricket nations only square off at Test level on average once every four years, with the proposed two-tier model reducing the gap.

The top division in Test cricket would also likely include New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa, with the latter qualifying for the WTC final in 2025.

Kagiso Rabada celebrates with Proteas teammates. Getty

The lower tier would include West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and Afghanistan.

The system was initially floated in 2016, but was shut down by the BCCI.

“The BCCI is against the two-tier Test system because the smaller countries will lose out and the BCCI wants to take care of them,” ex-president Anurag Thakur said at the time.

“It is necessary to protect their interests. In the two-tier system, they will lose out on a lot, including revenue and the opportunity to play against top teams.

“We don’t want that to happen. We want to work in the best interests of world cricket and that is why our team plays against all the countries.”