Deccanherald: The International Cricket Council yesterday withdrew its contentious proposal of having a two-tier Test system following “vehement opposition” from the world’s richest cricketing body, the BCCI, with the support of Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

“The two-tier Test system proposal, which was supposed to come up for discussion during the two-day Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting in Dubai has been taken off the table keeping in mind the objections raised by four members. The ICC will now look afresh at the whole aspect,” a source in the ICC told PTI.

BCCI President Anurag Thakur, who has been a vocal critic of this move terming it a detrimental and retrograde step for the financially weaker nations, welcomed the move.

“I am thankful to the members of the ICC who understood our viewpoint and agreed to take this proposal off the table. As one of the key stakeholders in world cricket, BCCI would continue to have an inclusive approach and ensure that everyone’s interest and the growth of cricket isn’t compromised,” Thakur, who was at the forefront of the anti two-tier format, told PTI today.

The Indian Board President said the growth and popularity of the game wouldn’t suffer because of the existing format.

“We want to grow the game and take it to new pastures and will not allow any step which can shrink the popularity and development of the game,” said Thakur.

SLC chief welcomes ICC move but pushes for four-day Tests

ESPNCricinfo: While expressing differing views on the ICC’s decision to withdraw the proposal for two-tier Test cricket, Full Member boards welcomed the discussions opened up at Wednesday’s chief executives’ meeting on ways to sustain the longest format of the game. 

SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala  called for boards to market Test cricket more vigorously, and suggested four-day Tests as a step towards increasing the excitement around the format.

“[Withdrawing the two-tier proposal is] a very wise decision as far as SLC is concerned,” Sumathipala said. “It’s going to give us more time to revisit and to see how, while we are maintaining our top 10 Test-playing nations, we could allow emerging Test-playing nations to join, while making sure that the tournament effect is taking place. We’re going forward together in this. I’m happy with the new line of thinking, and I’m happy we are not pursuing the seven-five two-tier system.”

Explaining SLC’s opposition to the two-tier system, Sumathipala spoke of how hard Sri Lanka had fought to achieve Test status.

“Test status was a hard-earned status for us,” he said. “We were ICC champions in 1979. We’ve played more than 100 years of cricket - Test status didn’t come to any of us overnight. We gained it through sheer hard work. The game has a challenge to face, but we should look at the economic and commercial side of things.”

Sumathipala emphasised the need to engage and entertain fans, and suggested that four-day Tests were a better idea to enhance the appeal and commercial viability of the longest format.

“Our thinking is that we need more effort to sustain Test cricket in the decades to come,” he said. “We have to invest into the game. We have to bring some fan-engagement programs where we can keep interest going. Sustainability is in the hands of the fans. They need to have entertainment in following the game.