England not in favour of two-tier World Take a look at Championship and their motive is weird
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Richard Thompson has voiced his opposition to the proposed two-tier construction in Take a look at cricket, expressing issues that relegation might stop England from competing often towards high sides corresponding to India and Australia. The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) is predicted to decide quickly on whether or not to undertake a two-tier format for the World Take a look at Championship (WTC).
England’s long-standing rivalry with Australia stays one among cricket’s most iconic contests, and up to date Ashes sequence have delivered substantial monetary returns for each nations. The 2023 Ashes, hosted in England, drew among the largest crowds in latest reminiscence, with gripping on-field motion capturing the creativeness of followers.
Extra not too long ago, England performed host to India in an exciting five-Take a look at sequence for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. All 5 matches went the complete distance, with the ultimate Take a look at at The Oval reaching Day 5. Regardless of the absence of marquee Indian gamers corresponding to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the sequence was a business and broadcasting success, with stadiums packed all through and a younger Indian aspect led by Shubman Gill combating valiantly to attract the sequence 2-2.
“There’s quite a lot of choices that we have got to have a look at – tiers could be one among them,” Richard Thompson instructed BBC Take a look at Match Particular.
“We would not need, as England, if we undergo a fallow interval, to fall into Division Two and never play Australia or India. That merely could not occur. Frequent sense must prevail.”
Thompson as an alternative referred to as for enhancements in scheduling bilateral Take a look at sequence to reinforce the aggressive steadiness and general construction of the WTC, suggesting {that a} two-tier mannequin won’t be the optimum resolution.
“The truth is, if the World Take a look at Championship is improved upon and sure adjustments are made, maybe you do not want two tiers of Take a look at cricket. What’s important is a schedule that makes extra sense than the present one. That features higher steadiness between white-ball and red-ball cricket, and acknowledging the upcoming problem of the Olympics from 2028 onwards.
“So what occurs in 2028, when we’ve got an Olympics and our greatest eleven cricketers are anticipated to be in Los Angeles for 2 weeks in mid-July? That is going to create critical issues.”
So far, 9 groups have featured within the first three cycles of the WTC. If the two-tier system is accepted, the WTC will develop to 12 groups, divided into two teams of six.
Whereas the WTC has introduced added significance to bilateral sequence, many have raised issues over the uneven distribution of fixtures, notably the dominance of the so-called ‘Large Three’ – England, India, and Australia – who play the lion’s share of high-profile matches.
In July 2025, the ICC fashioned an eight-member working group to evaluate the feasibility of introducing a two-tier WTC. The committee is headed by ICC’s newly appointed Chief Govt Officer Sanjog Gupta and was fashioned in the course of the ICC’s annual normal assembly in Singapore, which was presided over by Chair Jay Shah. ECB Chief Govt Richard Gould and Cricket Australia’s CEO Todd Greenberg are additionally a part of the panel.
AUSTRALIA IN FAVOUR?
Greenberg not too long ago acknowledged he was open to the thought – however provided that it added significant growth to world Take a look at cricket.
“My open thoughts refers as to if it helps develop alternatives for different nations to change into stronger and higher resourced in Take a look at match cricket. If it achieves that, then I am open to it,” Greenberg instructed SEN Radio on Wednesday, 6 August.
“But when it fails to realize that and as an alternative has the alternative impact, then I would not help it.”
Any adjustments to the format of the WTC would solely come into impact for the 2027-2029 cycle. The 2025-2027 cycle has already begun, with bilateral sequence agreed below the present ICC Future Excursions Programme. Nonetheless, the ICC is predicted to reach at a call promptly, with media rights for the 2027-2031 cycle scheduled to go on sale subsequent 12 months.
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