Daijiworld Media Network- Johannesburg

Johannesburg, Jan 8: Former South African captain and administrator Graeme Smith has expressed his concerns over reports suggesting the International Cricket Council (ICC) is working on introducing a controversial ‘two-tier’ system for Test cricket. According to The Age, the proposal would see the sport's powerhouses—India, Australia, and England—playing against each other more frequently, thereby reducing opportunities for other nations.

Under the rumored system, the "big three" teams would face each other twice every three years, an increase from the current schedule of twice every four years. While this would bolster revenue streams from marquee clashes, it could come at the expense of Test matches against smaller cricketing nations, potentially marginalizing teams with rich cricketing legacies like South Africa.

Responding to these developments, Smith pointed to South Africa’s recent success in Test cricket. “We (South Africa) are in the World Test Championship (WTC) final; we’ve got a chance to win the mace. I think that’s the key," he remarked during an interview with Sky Sports. "Over the last couple of years, their win percentages are actually pretty decent if you go and look over a period of time."

Smith acknowledged the ICC’s challenge of balancing commercial interests with the sport’s competitive integrity but warned against the ramifications of prioritizing big-ticket clashes in the next Future Tours Programme (FTP). He argued that such moves could further marginalize historically significant yet financially less powerful cricketing nations like South Africa.

The proposed system, if implemented, could redefine the structure of Test cricket, fueling debates about inclusivity and the preservation of the game’s rich traditions.