New Delhi: Former England batter Allan Lamb is convinced that the International Cricket Council need to review the existing format in which the World Test Championship is being played.
South Africa defeated Australia in the final to win their maiden WTC title but many pointed out that the Proteas enjoyed an easier pass to the final compared to the Aussies.
Lamb also believes there needs to be a better mechanism through which teams should go through to qualify for the title round.
“The ICC is going to have to do something about it because the format they have for international Test matches, people are not too sure what is going on there as it’s done over two years,” he told PTI.
“There are some teams, like everyone said, that South Africa qualified due to the fact that they played all the weaker teams. But that wasn’t South Africa’s problem. That was the ICC’s problem. They came up with that.
“And, I believe, you need a two-tier structure. And that’s got to come in very rapidly. The ICC chairman, he’s got to sit down, otherwise, cricket’s going to be at a loss. You need strong teams playing each other but they’ve also got to play the weaker teams.”
WHile he might complain about the WTC structure, Lamb is thrilled to see the country of his birth South Africa finally win an ICC title.
“Yes, I was there (at Lord’s). We had customers, clients there, and it was fantastic. I mean, South Africa are known as the chokers. If you have a look how many times they’ve blown it. Very proud of the way Aiden Markram batter under pressure,” the former right hand batter said.
‘Bumrah key for India’
Having made his Test debut against India at Lord’s in 1982 and toured the country in 1984-85, Lamb isn’t surprised at the rise of Indian cricket and pointed to the launch of the Indian Premier League for that transformation.
“I always thought that Indian cricket was going to go up, it was on the gradual climb. And because of the population and being your number one sport, cricket was always going to be the top of the tree,” the 71-year-old said.
“The IPL has changed cricket in India and the world. It’s incredible to see these youngsters coming through, the 15-year-olds and the 16-year-olds (like Vaibhav Suryavanshi), and making a name for themselves.
“In one day cricket, India should win every competition. In Test matches, you’re going to rely a lot on (Jasprit) Bumrah and you’re going to miss Virat Kohli big time.”