Ian Chappell. Pic Credits: X

ICC WTC 2023-25: “ICC Is An Event Management Company & Doesn’t Run Cricket”- Ian Chappell’s Rude Words On The World Cricket Governing Body

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According to multiple reports, ICC is discussing having a 2 Tier Test system to keep the pinnacle format engaging which will demote West Indies to Division 2 with other not so strong teams. Due to which ICC has received a lot of flak from cricket experts and journalists and Ian Chappell has used harsh words for the governing body. Ian Chappell who is considered one of the iconic players raised voice over the lack of infrastructure for weak teams and asked do they really have the facilitates of hosting a Test match.

The world cricket witnessed how England played 22 Test matches in ICC WTC 2023-25 cycle yet they couldn’t qualify for the final and South Africa by playing 12 matches cruised to their maiden final. This is a massive barrier which doesn’t look it will be sorted as England are a part of Big 3: India & Australia who get the viewership and most importantly even if they lose a Test series that doesn’t make any difference.

ICC doesn’t run cricket- Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo and stated that ICC doesn’t run cricket. Ian Chappell agreed for a 2 Tier Test system but pointed out that the relegation of West Indies doesn’t sound good for the game. Ian Chappell said that only a limited teams should be playing Test cricket.

“The ICC is widely regarded as an event management company. They should add ‘and not a very good one.’ Therein lies a perplexing problem. The ICC doesn’t run cricket, and unless there’s a major change of heart, the financially desirable nations will continue to have a huge say in producing a self-serving schedule. There should have been a two-tier Test system in place years ago. In reality only a limited number of teams are capable of competing long-term in the five-day game,”

“West Indies earned the right to financial assistance with their capacity to draw crowds, and it’s criminal they’ve been allowed to languish. A system that includes promotion and relegation is feasible but there need to be certain criteria attached before a team attains Test status.Those should include: Do they have a viable first-class competition? Do they have legitimate grounds for holding five-day games? Do the grounds have adequate facilities? Are they financially stable?”

Ian Chappell raises question over the Test status of Afghanistan & Ireland

Ian Chappell questioned that can Afghanistan host a Test series in their country. Ian Chappell stated that Afghanistan has got Test status because they provide ICC votes on important issues.

“If a team meets those criteria – and maintains a high standard of play over a number of years – then promotion to Test status would be legitimate. However, most of the recent Test-appointed nations don’t come close to meeting any reasonable criteria,”

“For instance, could Afghanistan hold a Test series in their strife-torn country? Does Ireland have a realistic number of Test-standard grounds? Even setting aside the Taliban’s reprehensible treatment of women, the answer to those questions is: absolutely not. Then why do they have Test status? Because in return for Test status they provide valuable ICC votes on important issues,”

Ian Chappell’s take on the Big 3

Ian Chappell was quite concerned given how the funding is done by governing body. Ian Chappell criticized India, Australia & England for claiming large slice of money and still aiming for another large share. Ian Chappell acknowledged that India’s presence in ICC is around 70% of cricket’s income.

“Then there’s the major issue of the financial split. The big three – India, Australia and England – despite being the wealthiest cricket nations claim a large slice of the money divided among cricket bodies, and yet they agitate for an even larger share,”

“India’s powerful presence in the ICC is in direct proportion to their contribution of around 70 per cent of cricket’s income. It’s a complex issue to which cricket hasn’t found a workable solution,”

Cricket being run by a competent ICC is a pipe dream- Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell claimed that running a four day competition is very expensive. Chappell somewhat believes that franchise T20 leagues and T20Is dominates the first class schedule.

“Producing a player who performs well in Test cricket requires having a strong four-day competition. It’s extremely expensive to run a four-day competition, and therefore not many beyond the big three can really afford the burden. It’s one reason why T20 cricket flourishes. Running a successful T20 competition improves the financial capacity of a cricket body,”

“This, along with running a successful T20 competition being vastly more acceptable than losing money on a first-class schedule, dominates the thinking of most cricket administrators. Cricket being run by a competent ICC is a pipe dream. Hence the growing T20 calendar and the current scheduling schemozzle that plagues the game,”

Critical junction for Test cricket

The FTP 2027-2031 is expected to announce by the end of 2025 calendar year. If India, England & Australia play with each other twice; as of now India play a Test series in England every 4 years but the recent proposed model can make India play Test series in England every 2 years and same applies for England.

With ICC granting T20 league status to every another league, the future of Test cricket looks not so bright. We are witnessing how England, West Indies & New Zealand cricketers are becoming freelancers to play T20 leagues and rejecting central contract, the pinnacle format of sport may soon become an event in the form of Test series between: India vs England & Ashes, BGT if ICC doesn’t take harsh steps.

Also Read: ICC WTC : ICC Chairman Jay Shah Elected As New Member Of Marylebone Cricket Club Amongst The 13 Member Board


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