Warne suggests two-tier system for survival of Tests
Melbourne | Tuesday, Dec 1 2009 IST
 

With the competition between the top four to five teams of the world intensifying and the bottom half way behind them, former Australian spinner Shane Warne has suggested a two-tier system for Test cricket which will end with a final for the top two sides.

Warne said the Test cricket needs some innovation to keep the interest of the fans going and said the traditional form of the game has reached a stage where ICC needs to come up with some more interesting ideas.

West Indies haven't been able to compete against the top teams in the world and a series defeat against England earlier this year and the innings and 65-run loss to Australia inside three days last week made their stature in the world cricket evident.

''It (West Indies loss in Brisbane) proved that between the top four or five-ranked Test teams and the bottom three or four there is a massive gap. Unfortunately the worst fears about a poor West Indies team are true,'' Warne noted.

''I love Test cricket but I think it has got to the stage where there are some things that need to be addressed.

''We need a two-tier system for Test cricket with a grand final for the top two sides at a neutral venue in a one-off Test,'' the legendary spinner suggested.

''Two tiers is the future, and a grand final. This means the fifth side in the top tier would be relegated to the bottom tier and the top team in that tier would be promoted. ''I can hear people saying that there will be complications regarding sponsorship and the like. This might be true and the ICC will need to help on that one,'' Warner wrote in his column for 'The Courier Mail'.

He added that the ICC rankings would determine which tier each country goes to.

The other advantage of a two-tier system is Test captains would need to play to win, to protect their spot in the top tier, which would surely result in more entertaining cricket.

Having led Shane Watson the Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals, Warne said he wasn't too convinced with Australia's idea of opening with the all-rounder and added that Mike Hussey to be pushed up in the batting order.

''My only concern is Shane Watson. It's not because of his duck, I just know he is better suited in the middle order, right now and for the future.

''Having captained him in the IPL, I gave him the new ball and batted him at three, so he was the man in all departments. He enjoys the challenge.

''But for the sake of his future, now is the time to make the tough call - move him to No. 5. Mike Hussey has to open,'' he wrote.

He further noted that the West Indies have lost the potential to sustain pressure for long periods of time with both bat and ball, which is a necessity in Tests.

''They are a very proud bunch and will feel embarrassed at their performance in Brisbane.''

-- (UNI) -- 01SPD10.xml

 

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