Ranatunga warns against Two-Tier Test cricket, calls out big three for exclusionary plans

Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning captain and cricket icon Arjuna Ranatunga has expressed deep concerns about a proposal from cricket’s ‘Big Three’ – India, England, and Australia – to restructure the Test cricket landscape. The three powerhouses are planning to create a two-tier system that prioritises matches among themselves, relegating other cricket-playing nations to a secondary status. Ranatunga fears that this move could severely harm the development of the sport, especially in smaller cricketing nations.

A report in the Sydney Morning Herald revealed that the heads of the Indian, English, and Australian cricket boards are set to meet with ICC officials later this month to discuss the controversial proposal.

The agenda includes a plan to increase the frequency of Test matches among the Big Three, ensuring that these teams play each other twice every three years instead of the current schedule of once every four years. This arrangement would leave less room for matches against other nations like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, and West Indies among them, effectively marginalizing teams outside the Big Three.

Ranatunga was unequivocal in his criticism of the plan, calling it a blatant move to prioritize profits over the integrity of the sport. “I understand the economics. Such a move will certainly line the pockets of the three boards, but sport isn’t just about Pounds, Dollars, and Rupees. Administrators must nurture and protect the game, not just fatten their coffers,” Ranatunga told Telecom Asia Sport.

Ranatunga highlighted the far-reaching implications of the proposal, particularly for emerging cricketing nations. He referenced the performance of West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph, who played a pivotal role in his team’s remarkable victory against Australia at the Gabba last year. “It’s tough as nails to beat the Aussies at the Gabba, but this bloke was sensational. I’m sure even Australian fans appreciated that display of raw talent. Why would you want to deny players like him a chance by excluding other nations?”

He argued that the two-tier system would rob players from smaller nations of the opportunity to compete against the world’s best, stunting their growth and denying fans the chance to witness the kind of upsets that make cricket special.

Ranatunga didn’t hold back in criticising the corporatisation of cricket, blaming money-minded administrators for prioritizing financial gains over the spirit of the game. “To run cricket, you don’t necessarily have to be a former player, but you do need to understand the spirit of the game – its values and its rich history. Unfortunately, when corporates run the show, everything is reduced to numbers and bottom lines,” he said.

Vaughan, Shastri back shake-up: Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan threw his support on Tuesday behind a two-tier structure ‘to save’ Test cricket.

Vaughan joined former India coach Ravi Shastri in urging a shake-up which would include relegation and promotion to help ensure the survival of the red-ball game.

Both men were on commentary duties during the thrilling five-Test series between Australia and India which the hosts won 3-1 in front of huge crowds.

“It has been a series that has only served to strengthen my views on where the game is headed and what administrators should be looking at,” Vaughan said in a column for The Telegraph in London and The Sydney Morning Herald.

“I believe it is a four-day product with a set number of overs each day enforced, three matches minimum per series and two divisions of six, including promotion and relegation.”

Shastri said the Australia-India series proved Test cricket continued to hold its own in the face of ever-increasing T20 franchise cricket.

But, like Vaughan, it only reinforced his view that to survive, the biggest teams needed to be playing each other more often.

The Herald reported on Tuesday that Australia, England, India and the International Cricket Council’s new chairman Jay Shah would meet this month to discuss a two-tier structure.

Agencies