The debate around the idea of a two-tier system for Tests is one of most discussed topics in world cricket at the moment, with former players voicing themselves out with strong views. In that line, ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith has expressed his disapproval of the idea, saying that it leaves teams other than the “top three nations” — India, Australia and England — struggling.
“My answer to that would be 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,” Smith said while talking to Sky Sports, answering how the move, if it happens, will affect South African cricket.
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The Proteas have topped the WTC table for 2023-25 to qualify for the WTC final against Australia in June this year at Lord’s.
“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, and South Africa have done that. I think over the last couple of years, their win percentages are actually pretty decent if you go and look over a period of time,” said Smith.
Smith said it doesn’t happen in any sport where the top three nations are seen facing off “all the time” and that there needs to be a balance that allows other nations to play the big teams.
The two-tier system for Test cricket will separate the top teams from the rest, which will see the smaller teams playing each other in the lower division.
“I also do feel for the ICC. I was just looking at a note this morning at how much England and India are playing each other over the next period, and Australia and vice versa. It gets extremely hard for the other nations…,” Smith added.
“India are probably the best because they are commercially so reliable for the other nations. But where do you find the top three nations playing each other all the time? And you can only imagine in the next FTP cycle how that’s been tied up in the background.”
He said for the betterment of the sport, teams like South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka need to be backed to keep raising their level of cricket.
“How does the ICC create a structure that’s fair in the top three’s eyes? I think what world cricket needs is, it needs South Africa strong, needs the West Indies strong, needs Sri Lanka to get better.
“Otherwise, can you see a world where there are only three nations playing cricket in the future?” he asked to conclude.
