Ian Chappell Bats For Two-Tier System In Tests, Says 'Only Limited Teams Are Capable Of Competing...'
A proposal to split Test cricket into two divisions, which will ensure more high-stakes matches featuring bigger teams such as India, Australia and England, is under discussion.
Former Australian batter and captain Ian Chappell has batted for a two-tier system in Test cricket. According to the 81-year-old former cricketer, who has now donned the hat of an expert, only a limited number of teams are capable of competing long-term in the five-day game.
“There should have been a two-tier Test system in place years ago," Chappell Chappell wrote in his column for ‘ESPNcricinfo.’.
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“In reality, only a limited number of teams are capable of competing long-term in the five-day game. West Indies earned the right to financial assistance with their capacity to draw crowds, and it’s criminal they’ve been allowed to languish," he added.
A proposal to split Test cricket into two divisions, which will ensure more high-stakes matches featuring bigger teams such as India, Australia, and England, is under discussion.
Such a system could, however, also harm smaller teams, resulting in fewer Tests for them and also threatening inclusivity in the sport.
Chappell believes a system of promotion and relegation should be there with certain criteria. He further stated Afghanistan and Ireland should not be playing Test cricket as they don’t fulfill all requirements.
“A system that includes promotion and relegation is feasible, but there need to be certain criteria attached before a team attains Test status. Those should include: Do they have a viable first-class competition? Do they have legitimate grounds for holding five-day games? Do the grounds have adequate facilities? Are they financially stable?
“If a team meets those criteria—and maintains a high standard of play over a number of years—then promotion to Test status would be legitimate. However, most of the recent Test-appointed nations don’t come close to meeting any reasonable criteria.
“For instance, could Afghanistan hold a Test series in their strife-torn country? Does Ireland have a realistic number of Test-standard grounds?
“Even setting aside the Taliban’s reprehensible treatment of women, the answer to those questions is: absolutely not. Then why do they have Test status?"
Chappell added, “Because in return for Test status, they provide valuable ICC votes on important issues. The ICC is widely regarded as an event management company. They should add ‘and not a very good one’."
Chappell agreed that it’s not easy for smaller cricketing nations to organise first-class matches at home because of the costs involved, which is pushing them more towards the T20 game.
“Producing a player who performs well in Test cricket requires having a strong four-day competition. It’s extremely expensive to run a four-day competition.
“It’s one reason why T20 cricket flourishes. Running a successful T20 competition improves the financial capacity of a cricket body.
“This, along with running a successful T20 competition being vastly more acceptable than losing money on a first-class schedule, dominates the thinking of most cricket administrators.
“Cricket being run by a competent ICC is a pipe dream. Hence the growing T20 calendar and the current scheduling schemozzle that plagues the game."
(With inputs from PTI)
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