Time to introduce multi-tier Test system

The performance of Associate XI against the No. 1 Test team is commendable. ICC Associate Combined XI made 281 and have already reduced England XI to 140/6. This Associate team is world class and its performance calls for more chances for Associate players. On the other hand I see Bangladesh, who have been terrible this year. They even lost a Test to Zimbabwe who made a comeback to Test cricket after five years. It is well known that if Associates like Ireland and Afghanistan play more matches against the likes of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe they would not have been thrashed around by these Test playing nations.

People often ask what is the big deal about having a Test status. What difference does it make? Well for those who are not aware I will list down the benefits of being a Test nation.

1. First and foremost, the Test nations get direct entry into the World Cup, World Twenty20 or Champions Trophy. The Associates have to fight it out among 16 teams for the two available spots.

2. The Test nations get around USD 7.5 million annually from ICC as participating fees in various ICC tournaments, while the top six Associates get around USD 0.6 million and a normal Associate get USD 0.1 million while the Affiliate gets a meager 15,000$ a year.

3. The Test nations get to be part of future tour programmes, where they host other nations for bilateral series which entitle them to TV revenues. An India, Australia, England or Pakistan visit would bring in good income in the form of TV rights.

4. As a Test nation you get to be the part of the Executive Committee where all the power of ICC lies. The Test nations have one vote each while the 36 Associates have just three votes. An Associate member cannot dream of becoming the head of ICC as this post is reserved for Test members based on a rotation system.

Why should Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have the privilege of being Test nations while the likes of Ireland, Kenya, Afghanistan or Scotland do not have it?

Many people will point out that cricket is hugely popular in Bangladesh and they have shown performances that point towards improvement. Agreed, but then why limit the opportunity to Bangladesh and not extend the same to other nations? More importantly, we need to establish a system in which the performing nations get a chance to move up the ranks while the nations which are not up to the mark move down.

In short, it is time for a multi-tier Test system. Under the present system the members should be divided into three tiers of I, II & III. The present ranking would mean:

TIER I: Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and West IndiesTIER II: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands, Scotland and ZimbabweTIER III: UAE, Namibia, PNG, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Uganda, Oman and Italy

All the other teams would be in the next tier.

ICC funding should be directly linked to the tier which a team is in. There should be a significant drop in funding if a team drops from a tier, but not like the present system where the difference between a Top Associate and a Test nation is around 12 times. A more reasonable number can be around two times.

The tier should run for a period of four years at the end of which the bottom two teams of the tier play against the top two of the lower tier. In this tournament of four nations the top two go to the higher tier and bottom two to the lower tier. The top four teams in Tier I play in the World Test Championship.

This multi-tier event would have many advantages:

1. All the boards give importance to the top tier because it will be linked to their funding. This would revive Test matches and increase the number of viewers.

2. It will bring excitement to all the bilateral Test series even in series such as Aus vs NZ or Ind vs WI, as those results can influence a nation’s chances of winning the Test championship.

3. It would give a fair chance to all the teams in ICC, and Tests will not be a privilege available to a certain few. It would give a chance for Associates like Ireland or Scotland to retain their players and not lose them.

4. It will make all the nations introduce multi-day format in their domestic circuit and would definitely improve the quality of cricket.

5. Cricket would not be limited to 8 or 9 nations. I am bored of watching India play Australia, Sri Lanka or England again and again. Seeing India play against a recently upgraded team, say Ireland or Afghanistan, will bring in more excitement and curiosity.

There have been various voices for a revamp of the ICC structure. This surely is the way forward and the sooner ICC thinks about it, the better it is for cricket.

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