Cricket Sri Lanka has refused to support the two-tier Tests cricket system which has been proposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
During the recent Test match between Sri Lanka at Pallekelle, ICC CEO Dave Richardson was present at the occasion. He talks about the advantages of a two-tier system in world cricket.
Sri Lanka defeated Australia by 106 runs to win the first match of the three-match series. At the end of the fifth day of the match SLC secretary, Mohan de Silva told the Sunday Times, “They were very keen to ensure the acceptance of the Two Tier system installed in World Cricket and pointed out some of the advantages in adopting it and said that the game of cricket would benefit monetarily. At a time when more and more cricket playing nations are seeing the benefits of playing the shorter version of the game, some administrations see this two-tier system as a lucrative option.
“But, we Sri Lankans still remember how difficult it had been for us to gain Test Status and we are not ready to change our stance on this proposal at in any event.”
The SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala said, “SLC has decided not to support two-tier Test Cricket, as we are convinced it is disadvantageous to SLC and for its future. We are of the view that if you make it a top seven – you are almost relegating the bottom three to a different level. We believe that, if you are a full member of the ICC, there can’t be two tiers. If one talks about the bottom line, what would happen if India slips to the 8th position?”
If the two-tier cricket system becomes a reality the three full members of ICC West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will play in the second tier as they ranked 8th, 9th, and 10th respectively. Two associate members will join them.
The top seven team of the ICC Test rank table will play in the top division. SLC said some players association of stronger playing nations are in favour of this league and it would bring them a lot of monetary benefits through the television rights.
However, de Silva also added that during their meeting Sri Lanka Cricket reiterated their support for four-day Test cricket a concept which was initially mooted by SLC way back in 2003 when current SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala. He said, “At that time he did not get much support, but, now the ICC’s think tank is quite interested in the matter”.