Cricket icon Sir Clive Lloyd has fiercely criticized the controversial two-tier Test cricket proposal, warning that the plan could marginalize struggling teams and further widen the gulf between cricketing nations.
The proposal, reportedly under discussion by the International Cricket Council (ICC), would divide the 12 full-member nations into two levels, with promotion and relegation determining a team’s future in the format.
A blow to Test cricket’s spirit
Speaking in a candid online media session, the former West Indies captain described the idea as “terrible” for the sport, particularly for teams that have worked tirelessly to achieve Test status. “Now they’ll be playing among themselves in the lower section. How are they going to make it to the top?” Lloyd questioned. “When you play against better teams, you improve.”
Under the proposed structure, elite teams like India, Australia, and England—the so-called “Big Three”—would compete in the top tier alongside South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka for the prestigious World Test Championship (WTC). Meanwhile, lower-ranked nations, including the West Indies, would be relegated to a second tier alongside Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Ireland.
West Indies’ legacy under threat
Lloyd, an ardent defender of West Indies cricket’s legacy, expressed profound dismay over the suggestion that the region’s unified team could be disbanded to compete as individual nations—a notion floated by former ICC chairman Greg Barclay.
“We (West Indies) have a great history, and now you’re going to tell us because of a monetary situation, we should be disbanded?” the 80-year-old cricket legend asked rhetorically, his frustration palpable.
Lloyd emphasized the importance of preserving the unity of the 15 island nations that form the West Indies team. He warned that relegation to the lower tier, coupled with a subsequent reduction in funding, could trigger the team’s collapse. “Our islands have got to play together. We’ve been doing that for years,” he stressed.
Contributions worth remembering
Lloyd also took the opportunity to remind the cricketing world of the West Indies’ invaluable contributions to the sport. From their dominance during the 1970s and 1980s to their players’ roles in English county cricket, the Caribbean team has been pivotal in shaping the game’s history.
“We were the cash cows for a lot of countries over the years. People must recognize that,” Lloyd asserted. “But we are at that situation now where we need the help, and we can’t get it.”
A call for inclusion
Lloyd argued that instead of splitting nations into tiers, the ICC should focus on fostering competition by allowing struggling teams to face stronger opponents more frequently. “That’s how you grow—by playing against the best,” he said.
The two-time World Cup-winning captain’s comments come as ICC chairman Jay Shah prepares to meet with representatives from the Australian and English cricket boards to discuss the divisive proposal.
