Sri Lanka Cricket has taken a strong stand against the proposal put forward by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to have two-tiers of Test cricket.
The two-tier Test cricket structure was discussed in the recently concluded Chief Executive’s Committee (CEC) meeting last week during the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh.
“Sri Lanka Cricket has decided not to support two-tier Test cricket. We strongly believe, in years to come we should encourage, if possible to play four-day Test cricket under lights with the pink ball and maybe extend play further by 45 minutes. Then it would probably be 100 overs per day, 400 per match. ” Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala told the media on Wednesday.
The proposal suggests 12 teams in a seven-five split. Over the two-year cycle, each side would play the others in their division home or away, in series lasting a minimum of three Tests each.
The winner of the second division would either be automatically promoted to tier one or go into a play-off against the bottom-ranked team from the top division. Likewise, the bottom team in division two would have to play off against the top team in the next level down, the Intercontinental Cup.
In the top tier, each team would play 18 mandatory Tests every two years, leaving room for additional bilateral series. The proposal also suggests that two more associate nations also gain Test status.
“We believe, if we are a full member there can’t be two tiers. Either you play full member Test cricket or you don’t play Test cricket at all. Principally, we are not supportive of having two-tiers. We do not see any benefit of this structure neither to the game nor the players.” Sumathipala further stated.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has also expressed their dissent on the two-tier Test cricket system as they fear it would reduce their growth of the sport.
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