The much-talked-about two-tier Test Championship idea seems to be hitting a wall. What was once floated as a potential solution to reinvigorate Test cricket is now facing stiff resistance from a growing number of full member nations, according to reports from international media.
What’s on the Table?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been exploring ways to make the World Test Championship (WTC) more competitive ahead of its next cycle, starting in July 2027. A working group, chaired by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, has been tasked with coming up with recommendations.
One of the key ideas under discussion is a two-tier system. Under this model, the 12 Test-playing nations would be split into two groups of six.
The top tier would include the so-called “Big Three” (Australia, England, and India) alongside South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. The second tier would have Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the West Indies, joined by Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland.
The aim, at least on paper, is to create more evenly matched contests and give developing Test nations a better shot at winning games. But in reality, the proposal is raising more eyebrows than excitement.
Why the Pushback?
The opposition comes from a fear of reduced opportunities to play against the Big Three. For many boards, these fixtures are not just prestigious but also crucial for revenue. Without them, the financial hit could be significant, making it harder to sustain Test cricket at home.
As one source familiar with the ICC discussions put it, reviving Test cricket requires involving the Big Three in more matches against other nations, not fewer.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Chris Dehring made it clear that, for them, the debate is less about structure and more about money.
“Our position relates to the financial model that underpins Test and other bilateral international cricket, which we do not believe is fit for purpose,” he said. Without fixing the funding system, any structural change may only worsen the challenges.
England and Pakistan Add Their Voices
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Richard Thompson has also spoken against the relegation aspect of the proposal. His worry? If England ever slipped into Division Two, they might not get to face Australia or India regularly, and that’s unthinkable for both traditional and commercial reasons.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also not on board. Their stance is that it’s simply too early to talk about such a model when the ICC Test schedule is already locked for the next two years.
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