Newly appointed Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has stirred controversy in the cricketing world after suggesting that not all nations need to play Test cricket. His remarks, seen by many as dismissive of the game’s traditional format and its global growth, have drawn strong reactions from several former cricketers, including Mitchell Johnson, Michael Vaughan, and Sir Geoffrey Boycott.
Greenberg’s Comments Spark Outrage
In an interview quoted by the Indian Express, Greenberg stated:
“I don’t think everyone in world cricket needs to aspire to play Test cricket, and that might be OK. We’re literally trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play Test cricket. Scarcity in Test cricket is our friend, not our foe.”
This statement did not go down well with former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who accused Greenberg of “taking the ladder up” from smaller cricketing nations instead of building a solid base for them.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also took to social media to voice his concerns. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Vaughan wrote:
“How about spread[ing] the wealth of the game around, so this doesn’t happen?”
Following Vaughan’s post, Sir Geoffrey Boycott joined the debate, quote-tweeting Vaughan and taking a direct shot at cricket’s “Big Three”—India, Australia, and England.
“Absolutely spot on Michael. Australia, India and England are greedy. They don’t want to give any away,” Boycott said.
Big Three Accused of Hoarding Revenue
The term “Big Three” refers to India, England, and Australia—cricket’s most financially dominant nations. These countries generate the most revenue for the sport and, critics argue, often act in their own financial interests rather than supporting the global growth of cricket.
Former players and analysts believe that this mindset prevents emerging cricketing nations such as Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland from truly breaking into the elite Test-playing fold. These countries often lack the financial resources to host long-format series and require support from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its wealthiest members.
To address the issue, the ICC has formed a committee led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Twose. This body will examine potential reforms to the World Test Championship (WTC), particularly the introduction of a two-tier system with promotion and relegation. This format aims to make Test cricket more accessible to smaller nations by creating a pathway to the top level.
However, implementing such a model would require significant financial backing. Many believe the Big Three are reluctant to share their earnings, which makes the future of this two-tier vision uncertain.
As the cricketing world continues to debate the future of Test cricket, the voices of former legends like Vaughan, Johnson, and Boycott highlight the growing divide between the game’s powerhouses and its emerging hopefuls. The next few years could determine whether Test cricket becomes a more inclusive global sport—or remains an exclusive arena dominated by a few.
