Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @clivehlloyd
Legendary West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd expressed significant concern over the proposed two-tier Test cricket system, calling it an idea that “is not very good at all.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird, England and Wales Cricket Board chief Richard Thompson, and BCCI representatives are set to meet ICC Chairman Jay Shah later this month to discuss the potential two-tier system, which could begin in 2027.
Lloyd stated, “Well, I don’t see a two-tier system (happening). I am very disturbed about this and I’m hoping that something is done, and that it must be stopped now. We’re not talking about 30 or 40 cricket teams – it’s ten teams. We should be able to have a system where everybody should be playing cricket often.”
He further emphasized that Test cricket remains a highly regarded format, despite its increasing marginalization in favor of shorter formats like T20. “Test cricket is still one of the most popular games to play as far as cricket is concerned. But we seem to be putting it to one side, and I don’t think that’s very good at all. We have to have a better system. We have to sit down and work out and not just say T20 is the ‘the’ thing,” he remarked.
Lloyd stressed the value of Test cricket, noting its ability to identify top-class cricketers, in contrast to T20’s more exhibition-style nature. “Not everybody wants to watch T20 cricket – we want to watch Test cricket because T20 cricket is an exhibition, while Test cricket is an examination. I can only tell if you are a Test cricketer or a top-class cricketer; you can become that by playing Test cricket.”
The former captain also expressed concern over the potential widening of the gap between top and bottom Test teams, and the financial struggles of second-tier nations. “The effect it would have is we would not be able to produce the type of cricket that we have over the years because we will be playing in a second tier. You can only improve by playing against better opposition. You cannot be playing among yourselves in a lower league and get up there.”
Lloyd also reflected on the negative impact such a system could have on the nations that worked hard to gain Test status. “It will be terrible for all those countries that worked so hard to get to Test match status, and now they’ll be playing among themselves in the lower section, with relegation and promotion around it. How are they going to make it to the top? A better system would be to give teams the same amount of money so they can get the tools to improve.”
Lloyd, who captained the West Indies to two World Cup victories in 1975 and 1979, criticized the proposed system’s financial implications, particularly for smaller cricketing nations. “We cannot sustain a system with the money we have at the moment. We were the cash cows for a lot of countries over the years. We are not asking for something we should not acquire.”
Looking back at West Indies’ cricketing history, Lloyd stated, “We have a great history, and now you’re going to tell us, because of a monetary situation, this is how it’s going to be.” He pointed out the financial difficulties of smaller cricket nations and the negative impact of T20 leagues, which have drawn players away with larger financial incentives.
In conclusion, Lloyd called for a special dispensation to help smaller cricket nations. “That is why I say we need a little special dispensation. Something must be done to help our cricket and the other nations who are just there.”
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
