The International Cricket Council has decided that a Test playoff along with an ODI league may be approved by the member countries in the next ICC meet in October.
After much drama regarding the proposed two-tier Test structure, the ICC aborted the plans of such a tournament but they came up with a possible league format that might get the nod from boards who previously opposed the two-tier system in Tests.
For quite some time now, the ICC were trying to find ways to revive the lost glory of Test Cricket. The two-tier system was rejected by many smaller nations like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and they were backed by ICCs richest Cricket board, the BCCI.
Also Read: BCCI against two-tier Test system says president Anurag Thakur
The chief executives of the member countries met in Dubai for a two-day workshop and discussed the possible future of bilateral cricket in the future. A CEO present at the meeting clearly pointed out the frailty in the two-tier structure if everyone doesn’t accept it.
As quoted from ESPN Cricinfo, he said, "You need seven to support any change, to make it more sensible. You don't have India. You don't have Bangladesh. You don't have Sri Lanka. That is three strong playing cricket countries. Zimbabwe was fourth. West Indies in principle were supportive of it. So two-tier won't work."
Also Read: A look at the proposed two-tier Test system and what it would mean for Bangladesh
Former ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat feels that a Test Championship is the only solution. His suggestion was to play a tournament according to the current rankings with the top two teams playing the final.
"The best we might be able to do now is to build a championship model using the existing Test rankings table to play a final between the top two teams, say every two years. Although not a perfect outcome, it could find support among all members. Doing nothing is not an option”, said the ex-Chief Executive of the ICC.
A senior official appreciated the BCCI for supporting the smaller nations and felt they would also gain financially due to the cancellation of the two-tier test format. He said, "It is very encouraging to hear the BCCI talking about supporting the smaller members. If a two-tier system affects smaller countries and the BCCI does not want this, then it is a signal that the funding that was channelled to the Big Three at the expense of the smaller countries would also come back."
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