Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh has strongly criticized the proposed two-tier Test structure, warning that it would weaken second-tier teams and widen the gap between cricket's top and emerging sides. Waugh, a veteran of 168 Tests and an architect of Australia's dominant era in the late 1990s and early 2000s, argued that such a system would deprive weaker teams of opportunities to play against strong opponents, hindering their development.
"I don't like two-tier," Waugh told PTI, "it weakens whoever's in the second tier. Not playing strong sides, they're not going to be able to improve and get better". He added that the top teams would continue to improve, further separating world cricket into elite teams and those that are merely "okay". Waugh emphasized the importance of developing all Test-playing nations.
The proposed two-tier system would divide Test nations into an upper tier, likely including India, England, and Australia, and a lower tier for teams like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with a promotion-relegation mechanism. Waugh's comments come as the ICC considers restructuring the World Test Championship (WTC), potentially prioritizing matches among the "Big Three".
Waugh's opposition adds to the growing debate surrounding the future of Test cricket and the best way to ensure its health and competitiveness. Some argue that a two-tier system would provide more meaningful competition for all teams, while others fear it would create a closed shop at the top and further marginalize already struggling nations.
While the administrators contemplate structural changes, Australia is currently focused on the upcoming Ashes series. There are growing concerns about England's ability to perform on lively pitches, as Australia's curators are being urged to prepare greener wickets that favor fast bowlers. Cricket Australia is hoping for a successful, high-revenue series after reporting losses in recent years. Steve Smith noted that wickets in Australia have had more life in recent summers, which could challenge England's batting lineup.
