The newly elected ICC Chairman said that the COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted WTC's shortcomings and they have to go back to the drawing board
The new chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC), Greg Barclay, has acknowledged that the World Test Championship (WTC) hasn't achieved what it initially intended to and COVID-19 pandemic has thrown it into disarray.
Barclay further went on to say that the pandemic-induced delays and disruption has only highlighted the shortcomings of the WTC that started with the Ashes series last year from August 1.
"In short, I don't think so (that the World Test Championship has been a boost to Test cricket)," Barclay said during a virtual media conference for wire services.
"The COVID has probably highlighted its shortcomings of the championship. ...the issues that we have already got, I wonder whether some of it was because of an attempt to develop a Test Championship, clearly designed to drive interest back into Test cricket, provide a bit of context and relevance around the Test matches.
"From an idealist's point of view, probably it had a lot of merit but practically, I do disagree, I am not sure whether it has achieved what it intended to do," he added.
Earlier this month, the ICC introduced the new points system todetermine the top two teams, which gave importance to the percentage of wins and points earned rather than the points themselves.
The change in points allotment system meant Australia went on to the top position leapfrogging India, who have more points than them, i.e., 360 compared to Australia's 296, while Australia's win percentage was 81, compared to India's 75.
Commenting on the alteration of the points system, Barclay said, "My personal view is let's get through with the little bit that we can in this COVID-19, with reallocation of points and all that..but once we have done that, let's go back to the drawing board as I am not quite sure whether it (WTC) entirely fits the purpose and has achieved what it intended to after being conceptualised four to five years back.
Importance of Context and Players' health
"I think we need to look at it in the context of calendar and not put cricketers in a situation where it's a lot worse and not going to help us."
While the big three - the BCCI, England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia have somehow recovered their finances to a major extent, many other cricket boards and associations are still reeling because of the pandemic hit schedules and seasons, economically.
"I think there would be some countries. It is difficult for some of the full members as they simply can''t afford to play Test cricket," he said.
"Test cricket has got its legacy and I am a purist but I do accept that as much as I want to keep it as it is, less and less countries are able to afford that arrangement and are able to play it. Very few countries can
make it work from a financial point of view."
Barclay also expressed his concerns regarding the crowded cricket calendars referring to the major windows being taken away by the domestic T20 leagues. He said that with so much cricket being played and considering the bubbles and the isolations, the focus should be more on the 'context' in the game and mental and physical fitness of the players.
"... I do respect that each country has the right to develop its own domestic league given it meets the ICC requirements and is properly sanctioned," he said. "Clearly there is a demand from the playing point of view and commercial partnering perspective. So let's accept that domestic leagues are here to stay and they have been tremendously contributing to the growth of the really exciting products like the IPL, BBL and CPL.
"It's an incredibly difficult juggling act to get in there and also, we need to have enough conversations regarding players' health safety. I don't think we have had enough conversations.
"Bilateral cricket is fundamentally important to member countries. ICC runs very, very good events, all countries must have an opportunity to take part in these events. I am a fan of maintaining ICC events which are world class but at the same time, giving an opportunity to members to have bilateral cricket," Barclay said.
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