St John’s, Aug 12: Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has raised strong concerns over a potential two-tier system for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), warning that it could push the Caribbean side into a prolonged period in the lower division.
Speaking after Cricket West Indies (CWI) held an emergency meeting with past legends in the wake of the team’s recent batting collapse for 27 runs — the second-lowest Test total in history — against Australia, Lloyd said the West Indies were “just two years away from completing a century” in Test cricket and deserved better treatment on the global stage.
The meeting, attended by greats such as Brian Lara and Sir Viv Richards, came amid fears that the proposed WTC changes could cement West Indies’ place outside the top tier. CWI chief executive Chris Dehring emphasised the board’s determination to influence the discussions.
“We have a seat at the table at the ICC,” Dehring said, as quoted by *ESPNCricinfo*. “We must remain alert to all possible changes, position ourselves strategically, and ensure West Indies cricket stays in the mix regardless of which way the wind blows.”
Last month, the ICC set up a working group, chaired by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Twose, to review the WTC structure for the 2025-27 cycle. The concept of a two-tier system was a major talking point during the ICC’s annual conference in July, though it has long divided opinion among Full Member nations.
Since the inception of the WTC, West Indies have finished eighth in all three editions, winning just 10 of their 39 Tests, losing 23 and drawing six.
Lloyd also voiced frustration over the distribution of ICC revenues, pointing out that India, Australia, and England each receive \$180 million, while West Indies are allocated just \$80 million — the same as Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
“To me, it’s not right,” Lloyd said. “We need to stand up and ask for special dispensation. When we were in our prime, everyone wanted to play us. We brought crowds in Pakistan and India, we played Australia and England regularly, and for years, we were the cash cows of world cricket. We deserve a better share of the pie.”
The two-time World Cup-winning captain urged CWI to pursue this matter firmly, stressing that adequate funding would be essential for reviving West Indies cricket and ensuring the team’s competitiveness in the years ahead.
Lloyd’s remarks carry the weight of history and the urgency of a cricketing nation at a crossroads.
For decades, West Indies cricket stood as a symbol of dominance, flair and unshakeable pride, producing some of the sport’s greatest talents and inspiring generations far beyond the Caribbean shores.
Today, with results faltering and administrative challenges mounting, the stakes have rarely been higher. The looming possibility of a two-tier WTC system is not merely a structural change — for the West Indies, it could mean a slide into relative obscurity, limiting opportunities to play against top-tier opposition and further stunting development.
In Lloyd’s eyes, safeguarding the team’s legacy requires not just vocal opposition to any system that marginalises them, but also a proactive push for equitable financial support that reflects their historic contribution to the game.
As the ICC deliberates, the call from St John’s is clear: the future of West Indies cricket hinges on strong leadership, strategic diplomacy, and an unwavering fight to reclaim their rightful place among the elite of Test cricket.
For many in the Caribbean, the debate goes beyond numbers, rankings, or revenue shares — it touches the heart of West Indies’ cricketing identity. A demotion to a lower WTC tier could strip future generations of the chance to witness the kind of high-stakes battles that once defined the region’s sporting culture. It risks turning a proud, unifying force into a peripheral participant in the game it once ruled. (Agencies)
