The 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle came to a close with South Africa triumphing in the final at Lord’s. Aiden Markram’s superb unbeaten century and a vital partnership with Temba Bavuma ensured the Proteas won by five wickets to end their 27-year wait for a global trophy.
It was a remarkable victory, and one that also served as a reminder of the importance of the long-format game in the modern world. And it also highlighted that there are no longer any fears that red-ball cricket is becoming a preserve of the ‘Big Three’ powerhouses of England, Australia and India.
However, the big question now is whether this momentum can be built on for the next cycle. New ICC chief executive Rahul Gupta is set to lead a working party to discuss potential changes. One of the key ideas is for two divisions to be introduced for the first time, with Australia, England and India in division one alongside the current ICC champions. The likes of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Ireland would then be admitted to division two, with promotion and relegation systems in place to prevent the smaller nations from being cut adrift.
It is an exciting proposition, but it will require significant support from the ECB and Cricket Australia in particular to be adopted. And it will also need to be accompanied by a substantial package of financial support for the teams in division two. If all of this is achieved, then a two-division model could provide the boost that the longest form of the sport needs to revive its fortunes.