By Samuel Peters
Former West Indies fast bowler Kenneth Benjamin has thrown his support behind the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) proposed two-tier system for Test cricket, describing the potential change as “long coming” and necessary for the sport’s development.
Benjamin, sharing his views on the ongoing discussions between the ICC and cricket stakeholders, emphasized that the proposed system would benefit numerous teams, particularly associate nations. “I think it is better for a lot of the teams if they have a two-tier [system]. And, honestly, I know West Indies may feel it a bit, if they’re pushed down in that, but I believe it is something that is overdue,” Benjamin stated.
The proposed structure could feature either the top seven teams in the premier tier, with five teams competing in the second tier. A key feature of the system would be a promotion-relegation mechanism operating on a two-year cycle, coinciding with the World Test Championship finals.
Benjamin strongly advocates for the promotion-relegation aspect, suggesting that the bottom-placed team from the top tier should face relegation while the leading team from the second tier earns promotion. “That’s how we’re going to know if they’re getting better,” he explained, highlighting the importance of providing teams with tangible goals and development pathways.
Addressing concerns about the West Indies’ potential placement, Benjamin acknowledged the possibility of the regional team being relegated to the second tier, depending on the final structure’s parameters. However, he sees this as part of cricket’s evolution and necessary for the sport’s global development.
Looking further into the future, Benjamin made a notable prediction about Caribbean cricket’s structure. “It may not be in our lifetime, but it’s going to happen when Antigua have to play separately, and Barbados and so on, just like how we see football is,” he suggested, drawing parallels with football’s national team structure.
Importantly, Benjamin clarified that the proposed changes would be limited to Test cricket, with limited-overs formats remaining unaffected. He noted that many teams who might find themselves in the second tier of Test cricket remain highly competitive in shorter formats of the game.
The former West Indies fast bowler emphasized that the promotion-relegation system would provide teams in the lower tier with both motivation and opportunity. “It also gives the team in the bottom tier something to really work at. It’s not just that they’re playing at that level. It’s that they can get the opportunity to go up and play against the best teams and the best players in the world,” Benjamin explained.
This potential restructuring of Test cricket represents one of the most significant changes to the format’s organization since its inception, with Benjamin’s support adding a significant voice to the ongoing debate about the future of international cricket. Former West Indies Captain, Sir Clive Lloyd opposed the proposal to have a two tier system in the World Test Championship believing that it will mark the end to one of the world’s most iconic teams, the West Indies.
