Powerbrokers considering two-tier Test cricket structure

[undertaker]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/has-to-happen-powerbrokers-considering-twotier-test-cricket-structure/news-story/1cec4e3e7e18505d1bf404933fae42db

Talks of this proposal have been circulating for several years and it was a matter of time before the inevitable.

 

[Bazal]

I think this is good and bad tbh. On one hand it should help smaller nations get more Tests and possibly even develop. On the other hand, I don't really care about playing England and India twice in three years. I'd much rather have more Tests and meaningful length series against South Africa and NZ and even Pakistan and Sri Lanka and I don't see how that happens with 20 tests in three years against England and India.

I think promotion/relegation is a must.

Also, while the second tier are likely to get more Tests against each other, it would be nice to see them get exposure to the top sides too cos that's still lacking. Except Afghanistan who I can't believe haven't been expelled yet, FMD

 

[Twizzle]

Can you imagine India being relegated ? f**k me the socials would go off.

Seriously though, as most of the money is generated by the big 4 and NZ, there really wouldn't be much money available to finance the second division and I think for that reason it would struggle.

Assuming we have about 8 teams in the main division, then add WI, SL, and Pakistan, and you would expect that to be the mainstay of the main division.

Be interesting to see what teams like Canada and Ireland could achieve and if they can make the jump.

And I agree with Bazal, Afghanistan can go f**k themselves. If there were a rule that each team must have a men's and women's team, then they wouldn't qualify, problem solved.

 

[bazza]

how can we play the Ashes if England are in the second tier?

 

[JJ]

Not sure what it would do for NZ, we’re already bleeding players to the 20:20 circus, just don’t have the $$ to compete

two tiers is interesting, and it seems laughable that Aust or India might get ‘relegated’ at some stage, but both have aging stars who need replacing, and in the 80s the notion that the Windows would be tier 2 would’ve seemed insane…. I just want more meaningful (3 and 5 test series) test series, more tests for us ( Williamson has played the same number of tests as Bairstow ffs), to their credit however it happens England seem to prioritise tests….

the big 3 having an ongoing circle jerk would be a disappointing outcome

 

[Bazal]

Not sure what it would do for NZ, we’re already bleeding players to the 20:20 circus, just don’t have the $$ to compete

two tiers is interesting, and it seems laughable that Aust or India might get ‘relegated’ at some stage, but both have aging stars who need replacing, and in the 80s the notion that the Windows would be tier 2 would’ve seemed insane…. I just want more meaningful (3 and 5 test series) test series, more tests for us ( Williamson has played the same number of tests as Bairstow ffs), to their credit however it happens England seem to prioritise tests….

the big 3 having an ongoing circle jerk would be a disappointing outcome

Whether the Big 3 would be eligible for relegation or not would be the question. I would say if they do promotion relegation then all teams should be able to be relegated, and maybe CA will start to give a shit again in the deal. But we also know that the Ashes is the biggest series in the game and the BGT is getting there so unfortunately I think your last line is the inevitable outcome.

I think you could still manage it reasonably fairly but it does get boring IMO. I'd rather a 3 Test series Vs NZ and another 3 against say South Africa in a summer than have India/England out here every second year...

 

[King-Gutho94]

Whether the Big 3 would be eligible for relegation or not would be the question. I would say if they do promotion relegation then all teams should be able to be relegated, and maybe CA will start to give a shit again in the deal. But we also know that the Ashes is the biggest series in the game and the BGT is getting there so unfortunately I think your last line is the inevitable outcome.

I think you could still manage it reasonably fairly but it does get boring IMO. I'd rather a 3 Test series Vs NZ and another 3 against say South Africa in a summer than have India/England out here every second year...

The 4 summer cycle should be
England - 5 tests
India - 5 tests
New Zealand/Pakistan - 3 tests each
South Africa/Sri Lanka - 3 Tests each

That's as even as you can get it i think

 

[bazza]

The 4 summer cycle should be
England - 5 tests
India - 5 tests
New Zealand/Pakistan - 3 tests each
South Africa/Sri Lanka - 3 Tests each

That's as even as you can get it i think

If tier 1 was 7 teams and that was the Australian summer over 4 years that would be great (with reciprocal tours as well giving about 10 tests per year)