Credit: ICC
The England Cricket Board (ECB) hasn’t shown interest in the two-tier model for Test cricket. In July, the ICC formed a working committee, which was led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose. The group’s task was to bring up some reforms before the next WTC cycle, which will start in 2027. The committee discussed the two-tier system and ECB vehemently opposed the format as it feared that if England’s performance takes a sharp dip, it can face relegation, which can send it to the second division, meaning that they might be denied matches against Australia and India.
Speaking to BBC’s Test Match Special on the opening day of The Oval test between England and India, ECB Chairman Richard Thomson said that the proposed two-tier format has flaws. "There's a lot of options that we've got to look at - tiers would be one of them," he said. "We wouldn't want, as England, we may go through a fallow period, and that means, what, we fall into Division Two and we don't play Australia and India? That couldn't happen. There has to be a sense that common sense needs to play out here," said Thompson.
CA ready to give its nod to the two-tier format
Cricket Australia (CA) is ready to give its nod to the two-tier system if it helps smaller nations to evolve in red-ball cricket. CA CEO Todd Greenberg said, "If the two-tier model provides better resources and opportunities to smaller countries, then I am ready for it. But if it causes harm, I will not support it."
Currently, nine sides compete among one another in WTC but if the two-tier system is introduced 12 teams will be allowed, with six teams each in tier 1 and 2. Teams in tier 1 will play five-day matches, while the second-tier side will play four-day contests. In case, a team in tier 2 performs well, it can be promoted to the first tier, while if a side’s performance plummets in the tier 1, it can be relegated to the second tier
