Two-tier World Test Championship system would signal the end of West Indies cricket – Sir Clive Lloyd

Legendary former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd believes that plans to make Test cricket a two-tier system will signal the end to one of the world’s most iconic sports teams, the West Indies.

Under the proposals to split the international game’s 12 full member nations into two, which will be discussed by ICC chairman Jay Shah and representatives from Australia, India, and England later this month, the regional side that has produced cricketers like Sir Garfield Sobers and Brian Lara would celebrate its 100th anniversary as a Test team in 2028 as part of the B-tier of the game’s longest format.

First reported by Australian newspaper The Age, consideration is being given to revamping the nine-team WTC into one of two divisions, a 7-5 reworking starting in the summer of 2027.

Lloyd believes that move would eventually result in the disbanding of the West Indies, arguing that any drop in revenue may encourage the bigger islands to go it alone.

“You can imagine them talking about dismantling the West Indies teams and playing as their own (islands),” Lloyd said.

Lloyd, 80, captained West Indies when they went 27 Test matches unbeaten in the 1980s, culminating in a then record winning streak of 11 in 1984 with six victories against Australia sandwiching five against England.

Things are much different now for the regional side, languishing eighth in the Test rankings and at the bottom of the WTC.

“We were the cash cows for a lot of people over the years,” Lloyd said.

“We worked hard for what we achieved, and only had 5million people. India have got a billion and a quarter. Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, they all have more people but look at what we achieved. We have a great history, and now you’re going to tell us, because of a monetary situation, this is how it’s going to be,” Lloyd added.

This is not the first time the two-tier Test system has been proposed, but the ‘big three’ of England, Australia and India are now more than ever keen to maximize television revenue.

December’s Boxing Day Test between Australia and India attracted a record aggregate attendance of over 373,000.

Playing each other twice every three years instead of twice every four from 2027, when the next cycle of rights begins, would result in revenue spikes from gate receipts, TV and sponsorship.

Unfortunately, it would leave the Windies and the other have-nots playing loss-making fixtures.

“We wouldn’t be able to produce the type of cricket we have produced over the years,” Lloyd said.

“You can only improve against better opposition. The better system would be to give all teams the same amount of money so they can improve,” he added. (SportsMax)