West Indies’ WTC Status at Risk Amidst Two-Tier System Proposal

The West Indies’ participation in the World Test Championship (WTC) faces uncertainty as the International Cricket Council (ICC) contemplates implementing a two-tier structure.

The proposed system would categorize teams into divisions based on their performance. The West Indies, having finished eighth out of nine in all three WTC editions and recently losing all three Tests to Australia, are in danger of being demoted to the lower division.

Authorities within West Indies cricket are seriously considering this possibility. Clive Lloyd, the celebrated former captain, has voiced apprehension about the team potentially remaining in the lower group for an extended period. Cricket West Indies (CWI) officials are committed to ensuring their perspectives are considered during the discussions.

“We have a role to play [in] all of that; we are represented at the ICC,” stated CWI chief executive Chris Dehring during a press briefing following an emergency meeting held in Trinidad on Sunday and Monday. The meeting was prompted by West Indies’ dramatic batting collapse against Australia at Sabina Park, where they scored only 27 runs.

“We need to monitor any potential changes closely, strategically position ourselves, and hedge our bets to secure West Indies cricket’s place regardless of future circumstances, striving to leverage any opportunities that arise.”

The ICC established a working group last month, led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, to explore enhancements to the WTC ahead of the 2025–2027 cycle. A two-tier system was a central topic at the ICC’s annual conference in July, with Twose expected to submit recommendations to the board soon.

The concept of a two-division Test structure has been a subject of debate for over 15 years, with ICC members holding differing views on its advantages.

Lloyd, along with other former cricket icons like Brian Lara and Viv Richards, attended the CWI meeting and underscored the importance of addressing the ICC’s revenue distribution model. He maintained that the West Indies’ historical contributions to cricket should be acknowledged, despite their recent performance decline.

“We need to evaluate the ICC’s revenue sharing arrangements. Currently, India, Australia, and England receive $180 million, while the West Indies, along with Bangladesh and Afghanistan, receive $80 million. This disparity is concerning,” Lloyd commented.

“In my opinion, it’s unfair. We must advocate for ourselves and request special consideration from the ICC. During our period of dominance, when we performed exceptionally well, everyone desired to compete against us.”

The two-time World Cup-winning captain also stressed the significance of equitable financial distribution in international cricket, emphasizing the West Indies’ contribution to generating substantial revenue for the sport.

“We frequently played against Australia and England, and our matches in Pakistan and India attracted millions of spectators. We deserve a larger share of the revenue, as we were significant contributors for an extended period. I hope the board acts on this recommendation to ensure we receive adequate financial support.”