Former West Indies captain Clive Llyod was unimpressed by the suggestion of a two-tier Test system, saying that it would be ‘terrible’ for the West Indies and countries who have worked hard to get Test-match status. Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has expressed concern over the ICC-proposed two-tier Test system, alarming that such a structure will dismantle teams like West Indies. Notably, the WTC will complete its third edition in June 2025 and the next edition will conclude by 2027.
Emerging reports suggest that the World Test Championship could be split into a two-tier system by the end of 2027. The top tier will reportedly include India, Australia and England with South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan might also joining the fray. On the other hand, the tier 2 will be comprise of Bangladesh, West Indies, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
The move is seen as the blueprint to generate more money with the top teams such as India, Australia and England playing more matches as they generate immense viewership and pull spectators to the stands.
ICC, BCCI, CA, ECB explore possibility of two-tier Test system
The ICC in collaboration with cricket boards of India, Australia and England is exploring the possibility of a two-tier Test system to facilitate more series between big three nations. The Age reported that Jay Shah, the new ICC chairman, is set to meet Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird and his England counterpart Richard Thompson later this month to discuss the finer points.
“Any plan for a move to two divisions in Test cricket would kick in after the end of the current Future Tours Program in 2027,” the Age reported quoting its sources.
The BCCI is currently gearing up for its Special General Meeting on January 12 in Mumbai where interim secretary Devajit Saikia is expected to get a full-time role. Saikia was appointed in the interim role after Shah vacated his post last month to take over as ICC chairman. A BCCI official indicated that the discussion floated around the ICC corridors in 2016, the first-time when a two-tier Test system was seriously considered.
The BCCI and cricket bodies of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh opposed the move, citing the possibility of decreasing revenue. They had also argued that smaller nations would miss out on the opportunity of playing against top teams if such a system comes into existence.
However, nine years down the road the modalities have changed and even some of the reputed experts such as former Indian skipper Ravi Shastri are supporting the division. Even some of the top players such as England Test skipper Ben Stokes had criticized the current model of World Test Championship.
Meanwhile, West Indies will complete 100 years as a Test team in 2028 and Clive Llyod highlighted the historical contributions of the team to the game and critiqued the alleged new system.
Two-time World Cup-winning captain Clive Llyod slams two-tier Test system proposed by ICC
Two-time ODI World Cup-winning captain, Clive Llyod has slammed the idea of two tiers in Test cricket, claiming the move was targeted at “dismantling West Indies” cricket. Clive Llyod said that the Windies cricket team have a rich history and shouldn’t be disbanded for their poor “monetary situation”.
He urged the ICC to step in and revamp WI cricket via monetary aid. Clive Lloyd told Trinidad & Tobago Guardian (via Times Now):
“You could imagine they’re talking about dismantling the West Indies, that is not the way to go. The way to go is to give them (West Indies and other teams) the same amount of money so they can improve their facilities, get better systems in place so that they can improve their cricket.”
“We (West Indies) have a great history, and now you’re going to tell us that because of a monetary situation, (we should be disbanded),” he added.
Clive Lloyd added the decision would affect the countries striving for Test cricket status. The 80-year-old further asked the ICC and cricket boards to sit down and find ways to popularize Test cricket, especially regarding fans’ participation in the five-day game. He said during the same interaction:
“I think it will be terrible for all those countries who work so hard to get to Test match status and now they’ll be playing among themselves in the lower section.”
Clive Lloyd led the West Indies to the 1975 and 1979 World Cups. Since then, WI are yet to win an ODI World Cup. They, however, have two T20 World Cup titles. Clive Lloyd also slammed the ICC’s World Test Championship (WTC) model, which came into existence in 2021, saying it was not “well organized.”
“It’s not well organized as such because if I am in a Test team, I want to play cricket so I can qualify for that system,” he noted.
The remarks came even as West Indies played India, Australia, England and South Africa in their last 18 months. They played their last Test series Bangladesh in November last year. In the upcoming WTC 2025-27 cycle, WI will play home Tests against Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They will play their away games versus India, New Zealand and Bangladesh.