England has now added its voice to the growing opposition against the proposed two-tier format in the ICC World Test Championship, joining other full-member nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand who have previously raised their concerns.

The concept of restructuring the World Test Championship (WTC) into a two-division system has been circulating within cricketing boards and ICC discussions for some time now. The idea behind the format is to have a premier group of higher-ranked teams playing in Division One, while lower-ranked Test nations compete in Division Two, with the possibility of promotion and relegation based on performance.

However, this structure has triggered strong reactions, especially from nations who believe such a format could permanently sideline their teams from playing against the top-tier sides, effectively marginalizing them from elite Test cricket and its financial benefits.

England’s Clear Rejection of the Two-Tier Idea

Richard Thompson, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), voiced clear opposition to the two-tier system. According to Thompson, while there are numerous options under discussion to improve the structure and popularity of Test cricket, a two-division format is not a desirable solution, especially for traditional powerhouses like England.

Thompson stated,

“There are many models being looked at including a two-division system, but we certainly do not want to see England ending up in Division Two where we might not get to play traditional rivals like Australia and India. That simply cannot happen.”

He further emphasized that there is still room to enhance the existing WTC structure by making thoughtful changes rather than splitting it into separate tiers. According to him, the key lies in scheduling — ensuring a balanced number of bilateral series across white-ball and red-ball formats.

He added,

“We can make the World Test Championship more competitive and fair without fragmenting it. The focus should be on structuring the schedule properly so that all teams have equitable opportunities to play and compete.”

Australia’s Conditional Support

While England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand have all opposed the proposal, Cricket Australia (CA) has taken a more diplomatic stance. Todd Greenberg, CEO of Cricket Australia, expressed conditional support for the two-tier system, stating that the primary concern should be the overall health and competitiveness of global Test cricket.

Greenberg said,

“The real challenge before us is identifying the role we are playing in Test cricket globally. We want to see teams like West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan grow stronger — because a healthy Test ecosystem benefits everyone, including us.”

He acknowledged the logic behind creating a system that fosters growth and competitiveness among lower-ranked teams. However, he cautioned that if the two-tier model fails to achieve this, it would not deserve support.

He continued,

“If a two-division system helps these nations become more competitive, I would support it. But if it doesn’t deliver those results, then I don’t think it’s worth pursuing. As of now, the cricketing world seems divided over this model.”

Greenberg also acknowledged the concerns of some full-member nations who fear demotion to Division Two could jeopardize their share of ICC’s revenue.

“There is legitimate concern among some boards that being placed in Division Two could result in a significant financial disadvantage. These are not unfounded fears. We have to be careful that a new format doesn’t end up making the rich richer and pushing others further behind.”

Opposition from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand

Before England’s formal rejection, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand had already raised objections against the proposal. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials argued that such segregation would limit the exposure of emerging cricketing nations to high-quality competition. Bangladesh echoed similar concerns, suggesting that the format could widen the existing gap between stronger and weaker teams rather than bridging it.

New Zealand, a nation that has consistently punched above its weight in Test cricket, also opposed the concept. Their cricket board emphasized the importance of inclusivity and competitiveness — arguing that all teams, regardless of their size or financial muscle, should have equal chances to compete with the top sides.

The Way Forward

The two-division proposal stems from a desire within the ICC to make Test cricket more commercially viable and competitive. However, as the list of opposing countries continues to grow, it seems increasingly unlikely that such a model could be implemented without significant compromise or backlash.

Critics of the format argue that cricket is already a game divided by resources, with a significant financial and infrastructural gap between the “Big Three” (India, England, and Australia) and the rest. A two-tier system, they argue, would only formalize this divide — ensuring that some teams never get the chance to play meaningful Test matches against top opposition.

Supporters of the system, on the other hand, believe that relegation and promotion could add much-needed drama and stakes to the WTC, compelling teams to improve performance and infrastructure.

At present, it is evident that consensus is lacking. For any major change to be implemented in international cricket, especially something as fundamental as restructuring the WTC, approval from a majority of full-member nations is required — something that seems distant as of now.

Unless a revised, fair, and inclusive version of the two-tier system is presented, it appears that the current WTC format — though not perfect — will continue, perhaps with some minor modifications to address the concerns raised by stakeholders across the cricketing world.