Two tier team system for Test Cricket?

Safin

Dave Richardson, the ICC's general manager for cricket, has suggested a two-tier structure for Test cricket, based on teams' strength, to make the format more competitive. Such a move, Richardson said, would create a context for Test cricket, one of the challenges for the ICC going forward.

"It's an important point that Test cricket should be played against teams that are at least competitive with each other," Richardson told Cricinfo. "Ideally, you want to have the top teams playing against each other, and then teams of lesser standing playing against each other, maybe in a second division or a lesser competition such as the Intercontinental Cup. I think that's the challenge for the ICC, that it can create some sort of context for Test cricket both at the higher level and at levels below that."

Probably the right thing to do. Nothing is more annoying to watch(apart from the obvious time waste over 5 days, a dead series where the winner is known even before the first ball is bowled and the teams are just going through the motions. I for one don't think Bangladesh should even be playing Test cricket, but now that they are, they should not be playing the top teams.

The ICC has been working over the last year towards lending context and meaning to Test cricket to make it more competitive and attractive for spectators. Last year, officials had discussed the possibility of holding a Test championship where the TV revenue flows into a common pool. But the idea was shot down primarily by India and England, who would end up contributing as bulk of that money. The other significant idea to be discussed is for countries to designate Tests between top cricketing nations as full-fledged five-Test "icon series". India and England have already signed one such agreement.

Some other important decisions that were taken regarding test cricket at the annual ICC meet:

Umpire decision review system rolout permanently from October.
A strong look at holding Day/Night Test Cricket matches. The only hindrance is the colour of the ball.
Greater rights to the on-field umpire to take a call on bad light. The players will no longer be asked regarding bad light and the umpires will go off only when the conditions are deemed to be "dangerous" and not "unsuitable" as it stands now.
Fines for slow over-rates will be doubled and a captain of a team guilty of three over-rate fines in the same format in a rolling 12-month period will be automatically suspended for one match.

Ninja

This is certainly a good move. The two tier system always works well there is a daylight of difference between the top teams and the lower rung ones. I wish the ICC considers the football style relegation and promotion as well. That will make the game more competitive

Safin

^^ That is implied imo. The lowest team in the group will be relegated. and the top team from the lower tier, promoted.

Imo day night test cricket could be fun

I would be interested in watching that, atleast the starting few matches

Agnel

Wonderful. This will make it interesting.
Though many feel test cricket is dead, I still love it.

Kick bangladesh out

India
Australia
Pakistan
SriLanka
NewZealand
England
SouthAfrica
WestIndies

That should be the major nations.

The winners of the 2nd tier should visit all the top nations once in a year.

Safin

I personally think that the top tier should have only 6 countries and let some good but bad performing teams go to second level

THat will make both levels very competitive.

Agnel

Originally Posted by Safin

I personally think that the top tier should have only 6 countries and let some good but bad performing teams go to second level
THat will make both levels very competitive.

That means less money

ICC will NEVER let the top 8 go away

Ninja

Originally Posted by Safin

Imo day night test cricket could be fun I would be interested in watching that, atleast the starting few matches

I think it will be a disaster.

The test cricket has to be conserved in its primitive form(though it has already gone through a lot of change)

1. There will be due factor to be considered and especially in the subcontinent where the tracks are spinner friendly the home advantage would nullify under lights.

2. Obviously sighting the ball would be a problem. How the 'pink ball' works has to be seen

3. The viewership will obviously take a hit. Imagine a day night match being played in England. A 2PM start that would mean the viewers in Subcontinent will have to stay late in the night to catchup the action.

Safin

3. The viewership will obviously take a hit. Imagine a day night match being played in England. A 2PM start that would mean the viewers in Subcontinent will have to stay late in the night to catchup the action.

not really

The whole idea is to make the time convenient for both the locals and the TV audience. In case of conflict, it will always go to a major audience.

A day/night Test can be a boon if played in Australia, New_zealand or even the Indian subcontinent