The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) push for a two-tiered Test Championship continues to hit a wall, with growing opposition from several full member nations joining Pakistan in opposing this model.
International media reports suggest that the proposal, which has been debated in cricket circles for over 15 years, may remain little more than a talking point, despite renewed interest during the ICC Annual Conference in July.
The idea, tabled by a working group chaired by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, was aimed at “revamping” the World Test Championship (WTC) ahead of its new cycle starting in July 2027. The proposed structure would split the 12 Test-playing nations into two groups of six, with Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka in the top tier. Pakistan would find itself in the second division alongside Bangladesh and West Indies, joined by Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland in an expanded WTC format.
However, the ICC’s two-tiered model for Test cricket has been met with resistance from boards wary of losing regular series against the “Big Three” — Australia, England, and India — which remain the sport’s biggest commercial draws.
A source close to the discussions stressed that Test cricket’s revival cannot hinge solely on matches among the Big Three. “It has to involve them playing against all nations,” the source was quoted as saying.
Cricket West Indies CEO Chris Dehring is the latest to voice caution, noting that any format change must address the financial shortcomings of the current bilateral model. “The CWI does not have a position as we have not held any discussion or seen any specifics. Our concern is the financial model — it’s not fit for purpose and must be a major part of any overhaul,” he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, for its part, has already opposed the move at ICC meetings in Singapore.
While some governing bodies continue to push for a tiered Test cricketing structure, the building resistance and with the sport’s political and commercial realities in play, it appears the two-tier Test Championship could remain a theory — at least for now.
