Clive Lloyd slams ICC's 'terrible' two-tier system proposal
"I think it will be terrible for all those countries who work so hard to get to Test match status and now they'll be playing among themselves in the lower section," Lloyd said.
Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has expressed concern over the ICC-proposed two-tier Test system, alarming that such a structure will dismantle teams like West Indies. Notably, the WTC will complete its third edition in June 2025 and the next edition will conclude by 2027.
Emerging reports suggest that the World Test Championship could be split into a two-tier system by the end of 2027. The top tier will reportedly include India, Australia and England with South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan might also joining the fray. On the other hand, the tier 2 will be comprise of Bangladesh, West Indies, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
The move is seen as the blueprint to generate more money with the top teams such as India, Australia and England playing more matches as they generate immense viewership and pull spectators to the stands.
Also Read: ICC Chairman Jay Shah leading charge for two-tier format in WTC
Meanwhile, West Indies will complete 100 years as a Test team in 2028 and Llyod highlighted the historical contributions of the team to the game and critiqued the alleged new system.
"I think it will be terrible for all those countries who work so hard to get to Test match status and now they'll be playing among themselves in the lower section," Lloyd was quoted saying in the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian.
“You can imagine them talking about dismantling the West Indies teams and playing as their own (islands). We were the cash cows for a lot of people over the years. We worked hard for what we achieved, and only had 5 million people. India have got a billion and a quarter. Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, they all have more people but look at what we achieved.
“We have a great history, and now you’re going to tell us, because of a monetary situation, this is how it’s going to be. We wouldn’t be able to produce the type of cricket we have produced over the years. You can only improve against better opposition. The better system would be to give all teams the same amount of money so they can improve,” he continued.
“When we were in the ascendancy, we didn’t get any more money. Something must be done to help our cricket and the other nations,” he concluded.
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