Kane Williamson supports ICCs two-tier Test system

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper supports International Cricket Council’s (ICC) proposed plan to start a two-tier structure in Test cricket by 2019. ICC’s proposal was to conduct league system in Test cricket in order to make the conventional format of the game more popular.

“I haven’t heard a huge amount about that,” Williamson told Fairfax Media in an interview on Saturday. “Naturally as a board, they’re always looking to come up with ways that might continue to help the game grow. At the moment, they’re doing a pretty good job and I’m sure they’ll come up with a number of other ways or ideas they might look to employ.”

When asked further about the recommendations by Richardson, the Kiwi skipper said, “I think Test cricket has a huge amount of meaning as it is. It’s certainly the pinnacle of the game seen by any cricketer. There may be room to apply a format that is structured in a certain way. Time will tell whether that grows legs or not.”

The 25-year old was promoted to lead the side after the retirement of Brendon McCullum. When asked about the void left by the attacking opener, he said that it’s “an honour to get asked to do the job.”

Also Read: Dwayne Bravo criticizes ICCs two-tier Test system

“We know there are a lot of challenges ahead, there’s so much cricket, teams are improving all around the world and it’s an exciting time. There’s a transition taking place after McCullum standing down, and a number of other guys that have retired the last couple of years, and the team takes a slightly different shape. However, that’s life and something we’re all excited about,” he said.

McCullum was an attacking skipper as his batting. On his part, Williamson said that he was fortunate to have played under his predecessor and has learnt a lot from him.

“As McCullum would always say that you’re authentic to yourself. I feel fortunate to have played with Baz [McCullum] for a number of years, a fantastic leader that he is, and to have been able to learn as much as I can from just being in the environment. I’ve learnt a lot and now there’s a transition taking place.

“The team has shown improvement which reflects in the rankings, and certainly the challenge is to continue to improve. I think cricket, in general, is becoming a bigger sport, and that lifts the standard. There is challenges day in, day out, and the volume of cricket is also part of the challenge, and staying fit and fresh all comes into the equation. There’s plenty coming up, one day at a time, and the guys are looking forward to the next tour which is Zimbabwe,” Williamson concluded.