By the time this article is published, the only Test match in a bilateral series between Zimbabwe and Ireland will have already concluded. This is the first time that Zimbabwe has hosted Ireland and will be only the second time where the teams have faced each other in Test cricket. It is, therefore, quite a significant moment for both nations and yet the lead-up to this series has received very little coverage. More attention has been given to the bigger cricketing nations such as the three ODIs taking place between England and India, and so the beginning of this multi-format series asks major questions about the future of test cricket for smaller nations.
We are three cycles into the World Test Championship and there is still no pathway for a new team to enter the competition. There is no system of promotion or relegation where there is a sense of jeopardy for existing teams. Instead, teams must play in all three formats to become full members and compete against the elites of the sport. This is not a fair and equal system, as teams like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland simply do not have the chance to play enough Test matches to warrant this level of eligibility. Since the start of 2018, these three non-WTC teams have played 28 Tests collectively whereas England alone has played just under 100. The imbalance is staggering and requires serious adjustment if Test cricket is going to survive for teams outside the inner circle.
It is clear that for these nations, the future of cricket lies in the shorter formats as evidenced by Afghanistan’s remarkable run to the semi-final of the T20 World Cup last year. The absence of Test cricket has meant that players are more used to the white-ball game, as well as being affected by the vast amounts of money being put into franchised leagues that actively draw players away from playing for their country.
Is there any other sport that has this conundrum? The ICC recently announced that there are plans to create a two-tier Test system that would put the strongest teams in their bracket. Whilst this would make for more regular clashes between the bigger teams, it would be catastrophic for smaller nations. How are smaller Test nations ever going to improve if they are not given more opportunities? It feels as if we are reaching the point where Test cricket will become an exclusive sport for a select few, and this is a very unfortunate situation indeed.
“Lords-Cricket-Ground-Pavilion-06-08-2017” by Yorkspotter is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.