Two-Tier Test Cricket: England Cautious and Concerned, Australia Open to Benefits

If England, Australia, or India slip to the second tier, iconic series like the Ashes, Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, or Border-Gavaskar Trophy may cease to exist.

The idea of dividing Test cricket into two tiers, primarily driven by India, Australia, and England—often referred to as the "big three" in world cricket—is not new. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has already formed a working group to explore the feasibility of this structure. However, concerns have recently emerged within the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The ECB fears that if England performs poorly and drops to the second tier, their prestigious and commercially lucrative series against Australia and India, such as the Ashes or Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, might not take place. Similarly, if Australia or India fall to the second tier, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could also be at risk.

During the recent England-India Test series decider at The Oval, ECB Chairman Richard Thompson told the BBC, “If we go through a bad patch and drop to the second tier, does that mean we won’t play Australia or India? That can’t happen. We need to apply some logic here.” Thompson believes that the rise of global T20 leagues has diminished the significance of bilateral Test series. He argues that tweaking the existing World Test Championship (WTC) framework could eliminate the need for a two-tier system. Citing South Africa’s example, Thompson said, “They recently beat Australia to win the World Test Championship. That was a great moment for Test cricket. It shows that with the right support, smaller teams can achieve big things.” He added, “The World Test Championship is in a much better place now than before. It has added a new dimension to Test cricket. However, we need to think more about scheduling and balancing matches. We also have to consider the 2028 Olympics, as our top cricketers may need to travel to Los Angeles in July, which poses another significant challenge.” No final decision has been made on the proposed two-tier Test model. The ICC’s working group, led by former New Zealand batsman Roger Twose, is expected to submit recommendations to the ICC board soon. The group reportedly includes eight members, possibly with representatives from non-Test-playing nations, and the ICC’s new CEO, Sanjay Gupta, may also be involved. Meanwhile, planning for bilateral series in the 2027-29 cycle has begun, and the broadcast rights auction for 2027-31 is imminent. The ICC faces the challenge of making the WTC more competitive, meaningful, and popular, though several cricket boards have already opposed the two-tier proposal in initial discussions. Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg believes larger cricketing nations have a responsibility to support smaller teams by ensuring robust first-class cricket structures. Speaking to SEN Radio, Greenberg said, “The main challenge is how we all contribute. When I say ‘we,’ I mean the three nations—India, Australia, and England—that heavily invest in Test cricket with time, money, and attention. For our own interests, we need a strong West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand, or South Africa. We want these teams to make Test cricket competitive and engaging, but they can’t do it alone. It’s the responsibility of the cricketing world to support them.”

Greenberg expressed an open-minded stance on the two-tier model, stating, “If this system helps other nations by creating more opportunities and resources for Test cricket, I’m all for it. But if it fails to achieve that and causes harm instead, I won’t support it.”