ECB rejects two-tier World Test Championship, Cricket Australia open to change but...

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has opposed the idea of splitting Test cricket into two tiers as part of a proposed overhaul of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). In the proposed two-tier WTC, England might end up in a different division from top teams like India or Australia, and it could put their most high-profile and money-spinning rivalries at risk.

In an aim to improve the World Test Championship structure before the next cycle in July 2027, the International Cricket Council (ICC) formed a working group last month led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose. One of the main proposals under consideration is a two-tier system, where stronger test-playing nations compete in one division and weaker ones in another.

ECB rejects two-tier Test model, warns of financial risk

Promotion and relegation would apply based on performance in the proposed structure that has been discussed for over 15 years. This model could make Test cricket more competitive, but the ECB chairman Richard Thompson warned it might hurt the value of top bilateral series.

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Speaking during the recent England-India Test at The Oval, Thompson said Test cricket is already struggling globally due to a packed calendar filled with T20 leagues. He admitted the two-tier model is under discussion, but felt it could damage the financial health of cricket boards that rely heavily on marquee Test series like the Ashes or high-octane clashes with India.

Richard Thompson said on BBC's Test Match Special: “There are a lot of options that we've got to look at—tiers would be one of them. We wouldn't want, as England, togo 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.”

Richard Thompson urges fixing WTC over splitting Test cricket into tiers

The ECB chairman believes that instead of creating a two-tier system for Test cricket, it would be smarter to improve the current WCT. He pointed to South Africa's recent WTC win over Australia as proof that, with proper backing, even teams from smaller cricketing nations can rise and achieve big results.

Despite South Africa often being overshadowed by rugby at home, their WTC triumph showed how meaningful the tournament can be, not just for the players but for global Test cricket. It also showed that underdogs still have a place at the top.

Thompson admitted that there are issues with the WTC, particularly around how its schedule is. He suggested that a better, more balanced calendar covering both Test and white-ball formats would help the competition grow stronger.

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Todd Greenberg calls on big nations to support smaller Test teams

Meanwhile, the Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg believes that stronger cricketing nations must support smaller ones to keep Test cricket healthy. He emphasized that countries like Australia, England, and India should help others develop strong domestic systems.

Greenberg believes that it is really important to ensure teams like the West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa remain competitive in Test cricket. He feels their strength benefits the entire format and keeps Test cricket exciting and balanced across the world.

However, the Cricket Australia CEO said that he is open to the idea of a two-tier Test model, depending on certain conditions.

I'm open for two-tier model, but...: Cricket Australia CEO

Greenberg was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “My open mind is in reference to if it helps grow the opportunities for those other countries to be stronger and have better resources in Test match cricket. If it does that, then I'm open for it. But if it doesn't achieve that, and it actually affects the opposite, then I wouldn't be supportive.”

Greenberg also revealed that many CEOs at the ICC chief executives committee meeting in Singapore shared similar views. He signed off by saying, “Talking to CEOs of the West Indies and other [boards], when I was with them recently, everyone's got a very open mind to this because they know that we're going to need some level of change in order to extract value in this part of the game.”