Australia and India
The ICC, in collaboration with the cricket boards of India, Australia and England, is exploring the possibility of a two-tier test system to organize more series between the three big countries. Many times there have been reports in media reports that ICC is thinking about the system of creating a separate division in Tests for big countries. However, now news has come that any plan to change the two divisions in Test cricket will start after the end of the current Futures Tours i.e. FTP in 2027. According to the report, if the two-tier system is adopted then Australia, England and India will get a chance to compete against each other twice every three years instead of once every four years as per the current format.
Australian newspaper has revealed in one of its reports that ICC Chairman Jay Shah will meet Cricket Australia Chairman Mike Baird and his England counterpart Richard Thompson later this month to discuss this. The Age quoted its sources as saying that any plan to change the two divisions in Test cricket will start only after the end of the Future Tours Program (FTP). The BCCI is currently preparing for its special general meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on January 12, with interim secretary Devjit Saikia expected to get a full-time role. Saikia was appointed to the interim role after Shah stepped down to become ICC chairman last month.
The idea came 8 years ago
A BCCI official indicated that while it was discussed in the ICC corridors in 2016, it was the first time a two-tier Test system was seriously considered. A BCCI source told PTI that as of now we have no information about any such move. At present, preparations are being made for the SGM and the recent Australia tour is also to be discussed. A similar step was taken some time ago too, but since then we have not heard anything about it.
Small boards have protested
Let us tell you, when the idea of two divisions in Test cricket was discussed for the first time, the BCCI and the cricket boards of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh opposed the move citing the possibility of reduction in revenue. He had also argued that if such a system came into existence, smaller countries would lose the opportunity to play against top teams. If this system is introduced in Test cricket in future, then teams like South Africa, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan can be included in Division-1.
(Input-PTI)
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