The cricket board of Australia, England and India are reportedly considering two-tier Test structure that would allow them to play each other more and make the three nations more profitable. As per The Age, ICC president Jay Shah, Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird and England Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson are set to meet later this month to discuss the agenda. If it's implemented, the change would see the 'Big Three' nations India, Australia, and England playing more Tests against each other.
The proposal gains traction following the success of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which saw record-breaking attendance at venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground.
Currently, 12 nations hold Test status, but scheduling favors high-profile rivalries, such as The Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy and England series. India was scheduled to play five-Test series against both Australia and England in 2024-25 and later this year, respectively.
The two-division system, first proposed in 2016, would likely feature South Africa, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan in the top tier, with West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe in the second.
How will two-tier system affect other Test playing nation?
However, this structure could adversely impact lower-ranked teams, reducing their television and sponsorship revenues due to fewer matches against the Big Three. However the move will have its drawbacks, as it is likely to reduce television and sponsorship revenues for teams in the second tier.
Matches between top-tier teams like India, England, and Australia and lower-ranked teams such as Sri Lanka or the West Indies provide the latter with opportunities to secure sponsorship deals and generate income from broadcasting rights.
When will this system come into action?
The shift cannot materialize before 2027, as the current Test schedule is fixed until then. The year also marks the end of the ICC World Test Championship’s fourth cycle (2025-2027).
