The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is not in favour of a two-division World Test Championship (WTC), especially if it risks England being placed in a different division from Australia or India. That could mean missing out on two of their biggest and most profitable rivalries. Last month, the ICC formed a working group, led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, to explore ways to improve the WTC from the 2027 cycle onwards. A two-tier structure was one of the main ideas discussed at the ICC’s annual meet in July. Twose, who sits on the ICC Board on behalf of New Zealand Cricket, is expected to make formal recommendations soon. The idea of a tiered Test system has been around for more than 15 years. While the ICC has shown interest as far back as 2009, its members have remained divided over the model.
During the opening day of the fifth Test at The Oval, ECB chairman Richard Thompson shared his thoughts on BBC’s Test Match Special. He said the value of bilateral cricket was dropping due to a packed calendar dominated by T20 leagues, which has hurt Test cricket in most countries. While acknowledging that the ICC is considering the two-tier model, he admitted it may not be the ideal solution. Thompson said, “There are many options on the table. Tiers are one of them. But if England has a dip in form, should that mean we’re dropped into Division Two and don’t play India or Australia? That shouldn’t happen. We need to apply some common sense.” He felt that the current WTC format could be improved instead. He pointed to South Africa’s surprise win in the 2023-25 cycle as a great example of how underdog teams can rise with the right backing. “The WTC has helped create a narrative and added meaning. Seeing South Africa win was powerful. I know people like Graeme Smith, and to see him in tears on the outfield showed how much it meant. Despite my criticism of their ‘B’ team against New Zealand, their win was still good for the game.” Thompson added that rather than changing the format completely, the scheduling of matches needed a rethink. He also flagged the complications that would arise in 2028 when cricket is part of the Olympics. “We’ll face challenges when our best players need to be in Los Angeles in mid-July. That will need to be factored into the calendar.”
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The composition of the WTC working group is still unclear, but reports suggest an eight-member committee could be formed, including representatives from non-Test nations. New ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta is also expected to be involved. With bilateral series already being discussed for the 2027-29 cycle and media rights tenders coming up, the ICC is under pressure to make the WTC more effective. Still, resistance remains high. Full Member nations have long been split on the idea. Some fear financial losses from relegation, others worry about national pride, and a few reject the concept altogether. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg, another key voice in the debate, believes bigger nations must support smaller ones in keeping Test cricket alive. Speaking to SEN Radio, he said a strong West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa is in everyone’s interest. “Those countries can’t do it alone. We all need to help. I’ve spoken to many board CEOs and there’s a shared understanding that some changes are needed to bring more value to Test cricket.” Greenberg said he is open to the two-tier idea only if it genuinely helps smaller countries grow stronger. “If it gives them more resources and opportunities, I’ll support it. But if it ends up hurting them, then I won’t.” He mentioned that during the recent ICC chief executives meeting in Singapore, several others expressed the same willingness to find a positive path forward.