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'I’m a little on the fence': Test cricket to potentially undergo major transformation as overhaul for WTC proposed
Sam Kosack • January 7th, 2025 2:46 pm
The World Test Championship could soon undergo a massive structural transformation with a two-tier relegation system proposed to overhaul how often the major countries face each other.
While unclear how the two tiers would function, the proposed change would see international heavyweight series occur more often, with Australia playing England in the Ashes twice every three years instead of twice every four as it currently is.
The system would also see minor Test countries, including Ireland, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe, play against each other to be elevated into a position to play the major countries.
SEN Cricket’s Darren Berry is torn on the validity of the idea and its impact on international cricket.
“On the surface, yes, but when I dive into it a bit deeper… I’m a little on the fence,” Berry said on SEN Breakfast.
“You like to see the best vs the best and, let’s be honest, Australia, England, India playing against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Ireland is a non-contest.
“But if they go with this model they’ve proposed, there’s 12 Test playing countries, so is it six and six? If that’s the case, how do we arrive at who the six and six are?
“Australia, England, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa; that's seven that I would consider traditionally top tier. What happens if England, Australia, India are in relegation zones? And the commercial implications will be far more important than the cricket ones sadly.”
Berry also worries that the oversaturation of major events like the Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy may reduce their importance when they occur.
“The Big Bash I reckon fell into this trap,” Berry said.
“When it started, it was new and exciting. I think we got greedy; we cooked the golden goose.
“We drew the tournament out far too long, (and) we lost international players for two reasons: the length of the tournament and the cash wasn’t as good, but I think we got an overdose.”
Australia have currently qualified to play South Africa in the World Test Championship final in June, but will play Sri Lanka in a two-test series, starting on January 29.
