Sri Lanka Cricket opposes two-tier Test system

There have been different opinions on the two-tier Test structure proposed by the ICC, in which, top cricketing nations will be divided into two divisions and the top seven Test nations will compete in division one for the title of world Test championship. Sri Lankan Cricket has raised their strong voice against the system claiming that it “can’t see any benefit for Sri Lankan cricket, the game, or the players”.

SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala has also raised his concerns over the financial outcome of a potential tiered system. He believes that the current process towards full membership Test status for Associate sides was adequate.

“Sri Lanka Cricket has decided not to support two-tier Test cricket as we have decided it’s detrimental to SLC and for its future,” Sumathipala said. “We feel that to make it a top seven – you are virtually relegating the bottom three to a different level.”

He feels that there should not be two tiers among Full member nations. “We believe that if you are a Full Member, there can’t be two tiers. One of the reasons is to maintain the sustainability of the economy of cricket. If India goes to the eighth position, what happens?” he questioned.

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One of the main aims of the two-tier system is to bring stronger context for Test matches and to make a clear path for the Associate nations. Sumathipala said that pathway remained available for Test nations and any aspiring Test nations.

“If someone wants to come up – they can come up, that’s no problem. That’s the way Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka came up. But that doesn’t mean that anyone should go down. If you want to take the Test level that is a different effort that you must make. We did that for Bangladesh and it’s a very successful story.”

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He also suggested for a 4-day Test match plan, where each day consists of 100 overs. With the introduction of day-night Test, it couldn’t be hard to achieve. “We strongly believe that in years to come we should encourage four-day Test cricket,” Sumathipala said. “We believe it’s going to be strong and effective. With the pink ball coming up and day-night facilities coming in, you can easily extend the day another 45 minutes and play a four-day Test comprising of 400 overs,” he concluded.