One of the biggest shake-ups in cricket history could take place, when the sport’s global governing body convenes in Edinburgh. Radical plans for the creation of two divisions in Test cricket and a one-day international league will be on the agenda of the International Cricket Council’s week-long annual meeting in the Scottish capital. Since, Australia and England played the first Test in 1877, international matches have largely been matters for the two countries concerned and the same has generally been true of ODIs outside of tournaments such as the World Cup. With many top players increasingly tempted by offers to play in domestic Twenty20 events like the Indian Premier League, where they can earn more money in less time than by playing Tests, officials are keen to give the long-format game greater context. This, they believe, would make it more attractive to broadcasters and so help generate greater revenues. The gentleman’s game of cricket is in for drastic changes.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
