World Cup Winner Voices Considerations Over Two-Tier Take a look at Cricket, Calls Out Massive Three For Exclusionary Plans
Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning captain and cricket icon Arjuna Ranatunga has expressed deep issues a few proposal from cricket’s “Massive Three” – India, England, and Australia – to restructure the Take a look at cricket panorama.
The three powerhouses are planning to create a two-tier system that prioritises matches amongst themselves, relegating different cricket-playing nations to a secondary standing.
Ranatunga fears that this transfer might severely hurt the event of the game, particularly in smaller cricketing nations.
A report within the Sydney Morning Herald revealed that the heads of the Indian, English, and Australian cricket boards are set to satisfy with ICC officers later this month to debate the controversial proposal.
The agenda features a plan to extend the frequency of Take a look at matches among the many Massive Three, making certain that these groups play one another twice each three years as an alternative of the present schedule of as soon as each 4 years. This association would go away much less room for matches towards different nations like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, and West Indies amongst them, successfully marginalizing groups outdoors the Massive Three.
Ranatunga was unequivocal in his criticism of the plan, calling it a blatant transfer to prioritize earnings over the integrity of the game. “I perceive the economics. Such a transfer will definitely line the pockets of the three boards, however sport isn’t nearly Kilos, {Dollars}, and Rupees. Directors should nurture and shield the sport, not simply fatten their coffers,” Ranatunga instructed Telecom Asia Sport.
Ranatunga highlighted the far-reaching implications of the proposal, significantly for rising cricketing nations. He referenced the efficiency of West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph, who performed a pivotal position in his crew’s exceptional victory towards Australia on the Gabba final yr.
“It’s powerful as nails to beat the Aussies on the Gabba, however this bloke was sensational. I’m certain even Australian followers appreciated that show of uncooked expertise. Why would you need to deny gamers like him an opportunity by excluding different nations?”
He argued that the two-tier system would rob gamers from smaller nations of the chance to compete towards the world’s greatest, stunting their progress and denying followers the possibility to witness the type of upsets that make cricket particular.
Ranatunga didn’t maintain again in criticising the corporatisation of cricket, blaming money-minded directors for prioritizing monetary features over the spirit of the sport.
“To run cricket, you don’t essentially must be a former participant, however you do want to know the spirit of the sport – its values and its wealthy historical past. Sadly, when corporates run the present, the whole lot is decreased to numbers and backside strains,” he mentioned.
He urged cricket’s directors to recollect their accountability to protect the sport’s world attraction and inclusivity, warning {that a} corporate-first strategy might alienate followers and gamers alike.
Ranatunga referred to as upon India, probably the most influential cricketing nation, to take a extra inclusive and visionary strategy. He praised former Indian cricket directors resembling Jagmohan Dalmiya, Raj Singh Dungarpur, Sharad Pawar, and Shashank Manohar for balancing India’s pursuits with the broader good of world cricket.
“India has all the time been on the forefront of shaping world cricket. Leaders like Jagmohan Dalmiya, Raj Singh Dungarpur, Sharad Pawar, and Shashank Manohar had Indian pursuits at coronary heart, however in addition they understood the broader image. That’s the type of imaginative and prescient we want from India at the moment – not this inward, self-serving strategy.”
Ranatunga emphasised that as the game’s monetary powerhouse, India has an ethical obligation to make sure the survival and progress of cricket in all its types, particularly Take a look at cricket, which stays the top of the sport. He concluded by urging the ICC and cricket’s directors to reject the Massive Three’s proposal and as an alternative deal with making a extra balanced and inclusive schedule.
He advocated for a system that offers all nations, large or small, the chance to compete on the highest degree.
“Cricket is greater than a enterprise. It’s a sport that unites nations, evokes younger expertise, and creates unforgettable reminiscences. It’s the obligation of these in energy to protect its essence, to not exploit it for short-term features.”
