Ravi Shastri Calls for Two-Tier Test System Post MCG Epic

Former India cricket coach Ravi Shastri has reiterated his stance on the need for a two-tier system in Test cricket. Shastri's comments come after the historic Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) drew record-breaking crowds. Over five days, a total of 373,691 spectators attended the match, setting a new benchmark for Test cricket in Australia.

A Test for the Ages

The match at the MCG triumphed in the exciting environment, or world, of cricket lovers, really showing why the classic five-day match is still spectacular. Shastri took to The Australian to point out how amazing Test cricket match was, especially when top teams go head-to-head, proving the game's still doing very well.

"To break crowd records that have stood for nearly a century is a testimony to the fact that when the best teams play, the toughest and best format of the game is still alive and thriving," wrote Shastri.

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Advocating for Two Tiers

The ex-coach really thinks Test cricket needs to change to stay both competitive and appealing worldwide. He came up with an idea for a two-tier system that puts the best six to eight teams in a top division. Teams that do well in the second division could move up, and the teams that aren't performing very well in the top division could be dropped down.

Shastri said you must have the best 6 or 8 teams play in a two-tier system, where teams can go higher or lower based on how they do. He reckons games won't pull in large groups unless the teams playing against each other are really good.

The Five-Day Debate

Shastri was into keeping test matches five days long. He didn't agree with making them four days just to attract more people to watch. He used the silly ending of the MCG test as proof that five days are the way to go. Shastri had his say on whether test matches should be shorter or not during the entire debate.

"The MCG Test is further proof of why we need five days for a classic Test match," he said.

Revisiting the Two-Tier Proposal

In 2016, the International Cricket Council (ICC) came up with a plan to have a two-tier system for Test cricket but a large number of cricket boards didn't enjoy it and said no, so it was completely stopped. Some people didn't like the idea because they thought it would leave out the weaker teams and stop cricket from becoming popular worldwide.

Shastri thinks that if only the top players compete at the highest level, test cricket would be significantly more interesting for fans. This setup means teams in the second tier would really want to do better to move up the rankings.

A Vision for the Future

Cricket's oldest and most impressive form, Test cricket, is currently facing tough rivals mainly those short and quick T20 matche but there's a push to keep it popular and relevant. Shastri threw out an idea to help with this mission, working to keep Test cricket strong as part of a larger plan.

For people who really love cricket, the MCG test that broke records showed the special characteristics that only test cricket can give. Wanting to make sure the fun stays, Shastri wants to introduce a two-tier system to make sure test cricket stays key in the sport for a long time.

England captain Ben Stokes is now the third player in history to reach 200 wickets and 6,000 runs in Test cricket.

This summer, Stokes, who has fully returned to bowling, dismissed Kirk McKenzie for a duck with his third ball in the second innings, achieving his 200th wicket. McKenzie reviewed the decision, but it was confirmed to be hitting the stumps.

Stokes among elite all-rounders

Stokes joins Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis as the only men to reach this milestone. He followed his wicket maiden with two more maidens and took his 201st wicket in his fourth over by getting Mikyle Louis caught behind for 14.

Earlier, Stokes added four runs to his total, bringing his tally to 6,316 runs in Test cricket for England. Gudakesh Motie bowled him in the morning session.

Ben Stokes bowling comeback

Stokes still has some catching up to do. Sobers has 8,032 runs and 235 wickets, while Kallis boasts an impressive 13,289 runs and 292 wickets.

Stokes was born in New Zealand and took his 100th wicket against India in August 2018. His return to bowling after knee surgery has been a significant boost for the England Test team.