WESTERN BUREAU:

DR DONOVAN Bennett, president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), is vehemently opposed to the possibility of a two-tier two-tier system for Test cricket, saying it is not a recommendation he would expect to come out of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Bennett says that, should that recommendation come to fruition, it would have a negative impact on the development of cricket and the global appeal of the sport.

“We would never be for anything like that,” Bennett told The Gleaner in an exclusive interview, insisting that he refuses to believe that the rumours of such a recommendation came from anyone with ties to the ICC.

“It can’t help Cricket West Indies to be in ‘tier two’ and I think this is a rumour, there is nothing official about this and I am not sure if this came from the ICC. I would be surprised if it comes from the ICC because it would have to be a vote,” explained Bennett.

In fact, Bennett, who has been at the helm of Jamaica’s cricket for just under a year, said if a two-tier system is adopted for Test cricket, the possibility exists where teams grouped in tier-two may never be promoted.

“The tier one members would be outnumbered by the tier-two people, so I don’t see it ever becoming a reality,” said Bennett. “I don’t see a mechanism where one could, based on performance, move from tier two to tier one.”

While legendary former West Indies captain, Sir Clive Lloyd and Cricket West Indies president, Dr Kishore Shallow, have flatly rejected the suggestion, former West Indies fast bowler Kenneth Benjamin thinks the two-tier format would be good for the game,

“I think it is better for a lot of the teams if they have a two-tier system. And, honestly, I know West Indies may feel it a bit, if they’re pushed down in that, but I believe it is something that is overdue,” said Benjamin, who played 26 Tests and 26 One Day International (ODIs) for the West Indies.

“That’s how we’re going to know if they’re getting better. It also gives the team in the bottom tier something to really work at,” added Benjamin.

Opportunities for improvement

Like Benjamin, former national player Dixeth Palmer also support the two-tier system, saying he believes it would provide opportunities for improvement if it is done on a relegation and promotion system.

“If it is something that is going to be a permanent structure I am not in support of that, but if it’s basically for relegation purposes, yes, I am for It,” Palmer told The Gleaner. “I think it would enable the lesser teams to notch up their standard and chances.”

The West Indies cricket team, which was the strongest in the world between 1975 and the early 1990s, has fallen from grace over recent years and is now ranked eighth in Tests, 10th in ODIs, and third in T20Is, according to the official ICC rankings.

Sports commentator and Sports Talk Show host, Oral ‘The Maverick/ Tracey earlier this month said the regional cricket team has fallen into the category of minnows, describing it as shameful.

“We should be ashamed of springing and riding on the history and tradition of former greats and take full responsibility for where we are,” said Tracey, noting that we are no longer credible opponents for the top Test-playing nations.

“We have no shame. Nothing is wrong with the two-tier system if it is based on performance merit. Right now, if they did have a third-tier, West Indies would be heading there,” added Tracy.

sports@gleanerjm.com