As the ICC explores ways to revamp the World Test Championship (WTC), a two-tier structure for Test cricket has emerged as a serious option, reigniting debates about tradition, revenue distribution, and competitive balance. According to The Post (thepost.co.nz), New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Scott Weenink is “open-minded” about the proposed change but remains cautious about its broader implications.
NZC Seeks Security With Open-Mindedness: “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”
Scott Weenink, as quoted by The Post (thepost.co.nz), said, “We would anticipate the Black Caps being in that top tier, currently on the basis of existing world rankings.”
He added, “And we would be extremely disappointed if we ever got to the point that we were relegated to a second tier.”
Still, Weenink acknowledged the need for accountability. “However, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. If we’re prepared to back a system that’s gonna create more context and jeopardy and interest in test cricket, then we need to be secure enough in our own position, to put ourselves at risk too.”
A key concern, however, lies in financial equity. “I think if there was going to be a two-tier system put in place, there would need to be a kind of change in the funding model to ensure that whoever is in the second tier wasn’t compromised financially by dropping down to that tier,” he said. “Because otherwise I think you’d probably see a further gap widening between the wealthy countries and the not-so wealthy countries.”
Global Voices Join the Discussion
Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg, speaking to domestic media during an event marking the 100-day countdown to the Ashes series between England and Australia, echoed similar concerns but pointed out the sustainability angle.
“I don’t think there is a right number (of test-playing nations) … but I think in the future scarcity in test cricket is our friend, not our foe,” Greenberg said.
“What I mean by that is, I don’t think everyone in world cricket needs to aspire to play test cricket and that might be OK. A lot of traditionalists might not like that (and) I’m not suggesting I know the number that will play, but literally we’re trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to play test cricket,” he added.
Meanwhile, West Indies legend Sir Clive Lloyd, speaking after the West Indies Cricket Emergency Two-Day Summit, addressed disparities in ICC funding. “We have to look at what’s happening at the ICC with the shareout of the money. India, Australia and England get 180 million and West Indies will get 80 million like Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and we are just two years out of being in that group for 100 years,” Lloyd said.
“To me, it’s not right. We have to stand up. We have to go to the ICC and ask for special dispensation. Because when we were in the ascendancy, and we were playing so well, everyone wanted to play with us,” he added.
WTC Format & Calendar Concerns
Weenink emphasized that regardless of a new structure, the main goal remains “to protect and enhance test cricket.”
“And so if it’s a two-tier system or some sort of more minor tinkering, we’d be supportive of that. The World Test Championship, I think as I’ve said previously, has been very good for creating and enhancing interest in test cricket, but it’s not a perfect product, in the fact that teams don’t all play each other,” he said.
“Some teams play five-test series, some teams play two, which means it’s not perfect, but it has done its job in creating further interest in test cricket. So the main thing is to continue to work on and enhance that existing model.”
He also raised issues related to white-ball cricket and the crowded calendar. “How do we make sure that white-ball bilateral cricket stays relevant and of interest to fans and broadcasters and the players? So we have to be looking at how they can probably introduce some sort of context and jeopardy into bilateral white-ball cricket.”
“Also, I think they’ll probably be looking at the congested calendar and working out whether there can be any rationalisation of that to try and reduce the conflict between international and domestic T20 cricket leagues. So it’s a fair bit to cover, but a really critical time to be doing this work with the growth in cricket, which has been primarily on the back of domestic T20 leagues and the conflict or pressure that that’s putting on international cricket,” he explained.
On Five vs Four-Day Tests
Addressing discussions around four-day Test matches, Weenink downplayed the likelihood of a global shift.
“There’s been talk about that from time to time at the ICC, but there’s absolutely no intention or serious commitment to looking at changing tests from five to four days,” he said.
“There is four-day test cricket that happens. For example, England has played a number of tests recently against Ireland and Zimbabwe, which have been four-day tests, and we ourselves are going to be playing a four-day test versus Ireland at their request next year on the tour to the UK and Ireland.”
“We’re prepared to do that, because we do have a duty to help promote test cricket with these other nations, if they would like to play those.”
“That all said, I’m a five-day test man and I don’t see test cricket being changed from five days to four days anytime soon. Draws in test cricket can be as exciting as wins and that recent series in England against India, all five tests went to five days I believe. And the drama and tension and excitement that was generated from those five days – and in fact, those 25 days – was extraordinary.”
