London, When Australia face South Africa within the World Take a look at Championship ultimate, it would mark the top of the present format, which is about to be relaunched as a two-tier system forward of India’s tour of England later this summer season.
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In a bid to create a “fairer competition”, England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson, who’s the top of the ICC’s strategic progress committee, not too long ago held talks with the apex physique’s chairman Jay Shah and the 2 will lead the plan.
With simply 5 months left for the following cycle to start out with England internet hosting India at Headingly from June 20, Thompson acknowledged the urgency of the matter.
“It is fully understood that the current structure does not work in the way it should and we need to find a fairer, better competition, but at this stage no recommendations have been put forward,” Thompson advised Telegraph Sport.
“We have five months to work on this, step back and look at what the structure should be going forward. The World Test Championship should be fairer and more competitive. It is going to change to ensure it always encourages the best teams to reach the final and encourages other nations that want to play Test cricket, to play Test cricket.
“We’ll shield, develop and make sure the integrity of Take a look at cricket as a result of the format is essential to the DNA of the sport.”
The current model has drawn criticism for its inconsistencies.
Teams do not play every other nation within the two-year cycle, and an excess of two-Test series has skewed standings.
Political constraints mean India and Pakistan do not face each other, impacting the integrity of the competition.
Similarly, South Africa reached the final without playing Australia, though they will meet in the title clash at Lord’s in June.
Discussions will also explore the possibility of four-day Tests, as this could help boards schedule three-Test series around franchise leagues, the report has said.
Notably, no three-Test series involving teams outside the “large three” of England, India, and Australia has taken place since 2019.
However, the four-day Tests won’t be there for marquee series such as the Ashes or matches between tier-one nations.
The push for a two-tier system gained traction following Australia’s blockbuster series against India, which set attendance records.
The proposed model would see the top-tier nations play each other more frequently, potentially sidelining other teams and series which has evoked negative responses from the legends of the game.
West Indies great Clive Lloyd has been a strong critic of the system, saying it would be “disastrous for smaller groups”.
“All these international locations have labored very onerous to get there. Now we have been in ICC for practically 100 years. We have an awesome historical past and now you are going to inform us, due to a financial state of affairs, that is how it will be,” Llyod had said.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has also criticised the move, saying it would only benefit the three boards.
“Sport is not nearly Kilos, {Dollars} and Rupees. Directors should nurture and shield the sport.”
Bangladesh batter Mominul Haque and England’s former pacer Steven Finn have additionally criticised the transfer.