What is two-tier Test cricket system and how it works?

The top teams in cricket today, including India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand, will play each other more frequently in the two-tier system.

Nikhil

Jan 06, 2025 10:06 PM IST

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As per reports, new ICC Chairman Jay Shah is spearheading the idea of a two-tier Test cricket. Shah was leading the push to host additional high-profile Test series in the cricket calendar alongside India, Australia, and England cricket boards.

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There are major reports going around that the longest format of the game is about to undergo a significant alteration, only one day after the thrilling Border-Gavaskar Trophy

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If it is to be believed, the action follows the record-breaking attendance during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which featured five Test matches between Australia and India. With 837,879 spectators in stadiums, the BGT was the most attended non-Ashes series in Australian cricket history.

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The top teams in cricket today, including India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand, will play each other more frequently in the two-tier system. Other teams that are not known for their Test skills, such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, would be relegated to the format's second division.

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Former BCCI president Anurag Thakur, rejected the proposal for a two-tier Test format in 2016 when the smaller teams objected. According to Thakur, the two-tier system will unfairly disadvantage minor teams and undermine cricket's spirit.

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Then-BCCI president Anurag Thakur in 2016 said - "The BCCI is against the two-tier Test system because the smaller countries will lose out and the BCCI wants to take care of them. It is necessary to protect their interests. In the two-tier system, they will lose out on a lot, including revenue and the opportunity to play against top teams. We don’t want that to happen. We want to work in the best interests of world cricket and that is why our team plays against all the countries."