“Not Every Country Should Play Test Cricket” – Cricket Australia CEO Drops Bombshell

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has warned that Test cricket could become too expensive for some nations to sustain. He believes the format should be played less often but with greater emphasis on marquee contests to protect its prestige.

Speaking to Reuters, Greenberg said forcing all cricket boards to commit to the five-day game could put smaller nations in financial trouble. “Not every country in world cricket needs to be committed to playing Test cricket, and that’s perfectly fine,” he noted.

The rise of T20 leagues and global tournaments has added to the strain, with many boards lacking the resources to stage regular Test matches. While clashes between top-ranked teams still draw interest, others struggle to match the quality and generate revenue.

Earlier this year, the ICC formed an eight-member panel, led by new CEO Sanjog Gupta, to examine the possibility of a two-tier World Test Championship. The idea is to rank teams into divisions based on performance, creating more competitive matchups.

Greenberg supports the move, saying, “Scarcity is an asset in Test cricket, not a challenge. We must focus on investing where Test cricket matters and carries real significance.”

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board is pushing back, fearing a tier system could reduce its chances of facing high-profile opponents like India or Australia.

“We wouldn’t want to slip into Division Two and miss playing against Australia or India. That simply can’t happen,” Greenberg explained, reflecting ECB concerns.

With the debate over Test cricket’s future heating up, cricket administrators face a delicate balancing act, protecting the game’s oldest format without putting financially vulnerable boards at risk.