Table of Contents
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been planning to expand the World Test Championship (WTC) to 12 teams. They are planning to bring in teams like Afghanistan and Ireland. Amidst this, Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive, Todd Greenberg, has confirmed the same 12-team WTC is on the verge of becoming reality. This would be great news for Test cricket fans.
ICC has been discussing the same with the other board members of the committee to make the WTC expansion happen. Apart from that, they are also in discussion with the next future tours programme (FTP), where they planned to organise a World Club Championship. However, it was rejected as the ‘Big Three’, India, Australia and England refused to play.
"I think that's what will happen for the next two years": Todd Greenberg on WTC expansion
While speaking to the media, Todd Greenberg stated that the expansion of the WTC will happen in the forthcoming two years. He feels that this is being done to provide opportunity to the other Test-playing nations as well. However, Greenberg feels that if the countries fail to generate the revenue, there will be hard decisions to be made.
"I think that's what will happen for the next two years. I think for the next iteration [of the WTC], I can understand why it is that number because they want to give every Test nation the opportunity," he told reporters in Durban ahead of Australia's opening Test against South Africa (as quoted by Cricinfo).
"But, ultimately, countries are going to have to make hard decisions themselves because if revenues don't continue to come in from the ICC at the levels that we've enjoyed, or they can't generate their own FTP arrangements, then ultimately any business, ours is the same, you can't continue to distribute more than you earn every year. That's where global cricket finds itself in some parts."
Todd Greenberg cites problems over WTC expansion
Todd Greenberg stated that there are some Test nations where the revenues have not been great. He didn't name the teams, but said it is difficult for countries to play the game because it is very expensive. This means investing in the infrastructure to play red-ball cricket is expensive.
"It wasn't very popular when I said that [about Test cricket], but I still say it's a statement of fact that over time it's getting more and more difficult for countries to play Test cricket because it is so expensive," Todd Greenberg said.
"When I say it's expensive, don't take that comment as being [about] putting on Test matches. It's the ability to invest in your system to create a structure for red-ball cricketers. You can't just magically find 11 players to play Test cricket.
Why Test cricket cannot generate much revenue?
Cricket West Indies CEO Chris Dehring recently stated that their recent home season, which included Test matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and a tour by New Zealand for white-ball matches, was "like death, destruction, and Armageddon" due to a lack of revenue from television rights.
Windies Cricket has been struggling to generate revenue until they play some big teams like Australia, England, and India. Playing against the Men in Blue generates the best revenue, with the most fans involved from this country.
"We would love to host South Africa for a five-Test series": Todd Greenberg on SA vs AUS Test series
Todd Greenberg stated that he wanted a five-match Test series against the South Africa side. But with the busy schedule, it has been tough to organise the same. He feels that every cricket board is protecting their windows.
"We would love to host South Africa for a five-Test series," Greenberg said. "[But] there's a real challenge in that between our organisations because they play in a similar period of the year. I can understand that. It would be like asking us, can we come and play in South Africa during December and January. You know our answer would be 'no, we can't], because we're protecting our own windows."
"So that's why it's difficult. But we're in constant conversations with them. I'll have conversations while I'm here with them. I think South Africa are a really strong Test-playing country despite their commercial and financial challenges. We'd like to see them continue to play Test cricket. We'd love to host them."
