Legendary West Indies cricketer Sir Clive Lloyd has expressed deep concern over the proposed two-tier Test cricket system, calling it a poor idea that should be stopped immediately.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird, England and Wales Cricket Board Chief Richard Thompson, and BCCI representatives are scheduled to meet ICC Chairman Jay Shah later this month to discuss the possibility of implementing a two-tier Test system starting in 2027.
“Well, I don’t see a two-tier system happening. I am very disturbed by this, and I’m hoping something is done to stop it now. We’re not talking about 30 or 40 cricket teams – it’s just ten teams. We should have a system where everyone plays cricket regularly,” Lloyd said during a virtual interaction with IANS.
“Test cricket remains one of the most cherished formats of the game. But it seems to be sidelined, which I think is a terrible mistake. We need a better system. We have to sit down and plan thoughtfully, instead of treating T20 cricket as the only priority,” he added.
“Not everyone wants to watch T20 cricket. Test cricket is an examination of skill and character, while T20 is more of an exhibition. You can only judge a cricketer’s true class through Test cricket,” Lloyd emphasized.
Concerns about inequality
Lloyd warned that a two-tier system could deepen the gap between the top and bottom teams, leaving second-tier sides financially strained if they are excluded from playing against the stronger nations, particularly the “Big Three” of India, Australia, and England.
“The impact would be disastrous. Teams in the lower tier wouldn’t have the opportunity to improve because they wouldn’t face better opposition. How can you develop by playing only among yourselves? It would be especially harsh for countries that worked hard to earn Test status, only to be relegated to a lower division with little hope of advancement,” he said.
He suggested that a fairer system would involve equitable financial support to help all teams invest in the resources needed for improvement.
The two-tier Test proposal, initially floated in 2016, was shelved due to strong opposition from several cricket boards, including the BCCI. If implemented, the system would reportedly allow India, England, and Australia to play each other more frequently, maximizing their TV rights revenue.
West Indies cricket at risk
Lloyd, who led the West Indies to two ODI World Cup titles (1975 and 1979) and a record 27 Test matches without defeat from 1982 to 1984, lamented the potential decline of West Indies cricket if the two-tier system is adopted.
“It would be heartbreaking if West Indies Test cricket becomes a thing of the past. We’ve been part of the ICC for nearly 100 years and have an illustrious history, even with a smaller population compared to countries like India or Pakistan. Now, due to financial constraints, we are being sidelined,” Lloyd said.
He highlighted the unique challenges faced by the Caribbean nations, including high travel costs, a dispersed population across multiple islands, and the dominance of T20 leagues, which lure players away with lucrative contracts.
“T20 leagues have hurt us because our players are drawn away for better financial opportunities. We also face higher operational costs due to our geographical structure. Despite being a small population, we’ve contributed immensely to world cricket. We need special support to sustain our cricket,” Lloyd asserted.
Lloyd called for solidarity in addressing cricket’s global challenges. “We’ve done our part to help the game thrive internationally. Now it’s time for the ICC to take responsibility and support nations like ours to preserve the essence of Test cricket”, Lloyd stressed.
