CHENNAI: After the two-tier Test structure was muted out, the International Cricket Council is planning a conference-style structure which will reduce the number of Tests annually and give players more opportunity to ply their trade in domestic T20 leagues. Though this plan is unlikely to come up for formal discussion at the ICC conference in Adelaide later this month, sources in the ICC revealed that the plan should be in place for next June’s annual conference.
The conference-style proposal came from the England and Wales Cricket Board after BCCI, Sri Lanka Cricket and Zimbabwe Cricket opposed the two-tier Test structure. The Federation of International Cricketers Association has been calling for the number of bilateral series to be reduced or face the risk of losing players to domestic leagues, where most cricketers get lucrative contracts as against playing Test matches.
As per the new proposal, Test teams will be divided into two groups and play each other on a home and away basis.
At the end of the cycle, there could possibily be a playoff between the teams that top the groups. However, in a bid to not alter marquee Test series like Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy, provisions will be given to the respective boards to continue with them, even if they find themselves in different groups.
“This proposal has received encouraging response from the full members. Like never before, there is a bigger need to add context to the matches we play. Members are aware of the fact that getting crowds for Test cricket is a big ask these days and if you intend to get good turnouts, you should make the game engaging.
“This can happen only if there is a context to the matches we play. Unlike the two-tier system, this conference-style structure is not going to leave out smaller countries. In case teams from different groups want to play each other, they won’t be stopped. It’s up to those members,” the CEO of a board pushing for the new system told Express.
Australia, South Africa, New Zealand have given thumbs up to the proposal, but the BCCI seems to be playing a waiting game. As things stand, none of the boards have engaged in talks with BCCI directly. But ICC chairman Shashank Manohar seems to be optimistic there will be consensus on this.
“Right now, we are playing too many Tests. Once this new system comes in, there will be a significant dip in the number of Tests per year. We are thinking about between 40-50 Tests per year and add ODI and T20s to the schedule so that all formats coexist without any trouble,” added the CEO of the board.
As reported by this newspaper in September, sans BCCI, other boards are close to reaching an agreement on introducing a common television pool.
venkatakrishna@newindianexpress.com