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News has hit during the last couple days that the ICC are considering a ‘two-tiered’ system for Test cricket.
The ICC are often criticized for either being too greedy or out of touch, but many pundits have called for a system of divisions in Test cricket for years now.
So the ICC must be commended on some level for getting something right.
The details of the system are unknown as yet, and it is speculated the ICC will announce something even by the end of January.
Pundits don’t really have a say in what will happen, but it is still worth throwing forth some suggestions.
The speculation is there will be two divisions. The first division would consist the top six of South Africa, India, Australia, England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the first division.
The second division would likely consist of West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan.
It would be a boon for Ireland and Afghanistan to at least be given temporary Test status and the chance to compete against nations such as West Indies and New Zealand.
This would hopefully stop the bleeding of players from Ireland to England, such as Eoin Morgan, Ed Joyce, Boyd Rankin and potentially George Dockrell and Paul Stirling in the future.
The problem with a two division system is West Indies and New Zealand could potentially be left in the wilderness and not able to compete against the top ranked nations.
The strength of the two division system is lower ranked Associates – such as Scotland, Netherlands and Kenya – could have the incentive of qualifying as Test nations.
It would also keep Bangladesh and Zimbabwe on their toes as they could potentially lose their Test status if relegated from division two. Likewise West Indies and New Zealand would have to work hard to try to qualify for division one.
It has been purported the divisions would be changed every four years and there could potentially even be relegation matches played.
There is some fairness in the overall system of having Test divisions. The top ranked nations have long complained about having to play lowly ranked Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The divisions mean every Test would count for more, as teams play to keep their spot in division one or fight to get into it.
A different type of divisional system could be considered though:
Division one
– Top four teams (South Africa, India, Australia and currently England).
– Play each other a minimum of three Tests away and at home during cycle.
– Play division two teams a minimum of two Tests at home and two away during cycle.
– Play division three teams two Tests at home or away.
– Minimum of 42 Tests during the cycle, which could run for four to six years, depending on agreements from all full members.
– There would still be room if division one teams want to play five-Test series.
Division two
– Second four teams (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and New Zealand).
– Play each other a minimum of three Tests away and three Tests at home.
– Play division one teams a minimum of two Tests away and two Tests at home.
– Play division three teams a minimum of two Tests at home and two Tests away.
– Play 50 Test during the four to six year cycle (with no room for five-Test series if the cycle is four years long).
Division three
– Teams ranked nine to 12 (Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan).
– Play each other a minimum of three Tests at home and away during the cycle.
– Play division two teams a minimum of two Tests at home and away during the cycle.
– Play division one teams a minimum of two Tests at home or away during the cycle.
– Play 42 Tests during the cycle.
Currently Australia and England play an average of 12 Tests per year, while many of the other full members play eight to 10 Tests per year.
Bangladesh play five Tests per year and Zimbabwe play three Tests per year. It is clear Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are languishing because they do not get enough exposure.
Years earlier, Sri Lanka were the success story of an associate nation becoming a Test nation. They rose through the ranks from their lowly entrance in 1981 to number two in 2009. Sri Lanka also won the ODI World Cup in 1996.
Their progression should give an aspiring nation the hope it is possible to rise to the top of world cricket.
It will be interesting to see what the ICC comes up with. What is surely clear is not everyone will be happy.
It is impossible to keep TV broadcasters happy and yet create a fair competition at the same time. The demise of the Test world championship (no longer going ahead in 2017 after already being cancelled once in 2013) shows how much influence TV broadcasters do have.
Hopefully the ICC can strike as good a balance as possible and Test cricket will find new strengths in the 21st century.
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