International Cricket Council (ICC)The cricket boards of India, Australia and England are planning to together reshape the future of Test cricket. in this plan 2 tier system There is talk of implementation and holding more test matches between big countries.
The aim of this initiative is to provide fans Border-Gavaskar Trophy Such blockbuster series can be seen twice every three years. Additionally, Test cricket should be made more attractive and economically profitable by increasing competition among top teams.
Planning meetings and 2 tier system
ICC Chairman Jai Shah, Mike Baird of Cricket AustraliaAnd Richard Thompson of England Cricket Board An important meeting can be held at the end of this month. In this, dividing Test cricket into two levels will be discussed.
Structure of 2 Tier System:
- Top Tier (Tier 1):
- Big teams like India, Australia, England will be included in this.
- These teams will mostly play against each other.
- Second level (Tier 2):
- There will be smaller cricketing nations, who will have to earn promotion based on performance to reach the top level.
- This structure is likely to be implemented after 2027.
Support of Ravi Shastri and other experts
former indian coach Ravi Shastri supported this system, saying:
“If Test cricket is to be kept alive then the top teams must play against each other more often. This is the real competition that excites the fans.”
Economic outlook and demand for broadcasting
The 2 tier system allowed India, England, and Australia to Future Tour Program (FTP) Will get a chance to reorganize.
- Due to more matches between big countries Broadcasters And Streaming Platforms Will also benefit.
- The recent India-Australia series attracted record audiences in Australia. It has become the fourth most watched Test series there.
Australian broadcasters and Indian broadcasters, such as geocinema And disneystarwant these marquee series to have shorter intervals and be held more frequently.
Why was the 2 tier system postponed in 2016?
This model was introduced in 2016, but bcciIt was postponed due to opposition from countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
That time BCCI President Anurag Thakur Said:
“The 2 tier system will hurt smaller countries. Due to this they will lose revenue and opportunities to play against top teams. BCCI wants to protect the interests of every country.”
Why is thinking changing now?
Eight years later, the financial pressure in cricket has increased.
- Marquee Series Big boards will benefit financially by conducting it more frequently.
- World Test Championship (WTC) The dissatisfaction of England and other countries regarding the current structure of the BCCI is also causing this change.
What will be the effect?
If a 2 tier system applies:
- Opportunities for smaller cricketing nations to play against top teams will be limited.
- Increasing the number of series between big countries can bring more excitement in Test cricket.
- This could be a bold step to save the popularity of Test cricket.
