Two-tier setback but context promised

A proposal to reinvigorate Test cricket with a two-tier structure appears to have suffered a significant setback following a meeting of the International Cricket Council's chief executives committee.

The two-tier structure is one piece of a larger jigsaw puzzle envisaged to add more context to bilateral cricket across all formats.

This week former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting hit out at the lack of context in cricket, saying the recent Australia-Sri Lanka ODI series "doesn't really matter, it doesn't mean anything".

Quick Single: One-dayers lack context: Ponting

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson today said "significant progress" had been made at a two-day cricket structures workshop in Dubai involving CEOs from the ICC's ten Full Members.

Richardson added changes that would bring more context were expected to be implemented in 2019.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, who has been outspoken in his support of adding context, including through the two-tier structure for Tests, said he welcomed the progress from the Dubai workshop.

"The workshop provided a forum for all views to be heard and discussed – and for members to work together to build an improved model for bilateral cricket played between nations," Sutherland said. 

"More important than anything, we are confident that the additional structure and context proposed for each of the three formats will significantly enhance cricket’s offering to fans across the globe.

"Our thoughts on the need for change are well known and we are optimistic that all member countries are open to meaningful improvements that will support an even more successful and sustainable future for international cricket."

Richardson said there was "consensus on a range of areas" and including the concept of a Test Champion playoff every two years, and for more nations to be granted Test status.

After Australia consolidated top spot in the ODI rankings with a 4-1 series win against Sri Lanka, Ponting was underwhelmed by the greater meaning of the victory.

"One-day cricket is the game at the moment that is lacking the most context," Ponting said at a promotional event in New Delhi.

"You just have a one-off series like the Australia-Sri Lanka series, it doesn't really matter, it doesn't mean anything.

"Both teams want to win the series but there is nothing else riding on it. Maybe each ODI will have some sort of relevance for the World Cup rankings but nothing more than that."

The apparent shelving of the two-tier Test structure was hailed as a victory by some nations. The proposal would have seen the top seven ranked teams play in the top division, with the bottom three joined by two newcomers to Test cricket in the second division.

Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the CEO of Bangladesh Cricket, currently ranked ninth in Test cricket, welcomed the move away from the two-tier structure.

"We are delighted we could convince other members of the negative impact it would have on Bangladesh cricket," Chowdhury told ESPN.

"The two-tier system is off the table, and we will now discuss the future structure of cricket in the coming days."

It was reported eighth-ranked West Indies were in favour of implementing the two-tier structure.

The detail of the proposed revised structures will continue to be worked on ahead of a further discussions.

"Work will continue to develop a clear structure and position for each format over the coming months as the ICC collectively focuses on improving bilateral cricket for fans and players in the long run," Richardson said.