Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @JayShah
Newly-elected International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah is reportedly leading discussions to implement a two-tier Test cricket structure. According to Australian media outlet The Age on January 6, Shah is working alongside the cricket boards of India, Australia, and England to organise more marquee Test series in the cricketing calendar.
This push follows the record-breaking attendance during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia. The series, consisting of five Tests, attracted 837,879 spectators, making it the most attended non-Ashes series in Australian cricket history. It ranks as the fourth most attended Test series overall in Australia, behind Ashes series from 1936-37, 2017-18, and 1946-47.
The proposed two-tier format would see top-ranked teams like India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand playing each other more frequently, while teams such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe would be placed in a second tier, competing within their division. Teams like West Indies, who have struggled in Test cricket recently, might also feature in the second tier.
While details on promotion and relegation between the tiers are yet to be confirmed, the format aims to prioritise competitive matches between the strongest teams to sustain and grow the popularity of Test cricket.
The two-tier idea was first proposed in 2016 but faced resistance, particularly from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under then-president Anurag Thakur. Thakur opposed the system, citing concerns over marginalising smaller teams and undermining the spirit of cricket.
“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,” Thakur said at the time. “In the two-tier system, they will lose out on a lot, including revenue and the opportunity to play against top teams.”
Broadcasters, however, have increasingly shown interest in the proposal, viewing high-profile matches between top teams as more lucrative. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has also voiced his support for the concept. Speaking during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shastri said, “If you want Test cricket to survive and be alive and thriving, I think that’s the way to go. The top teams play against each other more often, so there is a contest; you want contests.”
Possible Team Allocations in the Two-Tier Structure
1st Division: South Africa, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
2nd Division: West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
