Former England captain, Alastair Cook, has expressed his confusion regarding the World Test Championship‘s format. He shared his thoughts prior to the second Test between New Zealand and England.
“It’s very hard to have tournaments which last two years and keep interest in it with percentage points, if I’m honest,” said Cook to TNT Sports.
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Cook said he finds it challenging to follow the calculation of positions and the extended duration of the tournament. Even as a dedicated cricket enthusiast, he admits to struggling with understanding the system.
“I’m a big cricket fan and I follow the game a lot, and I don’t understand it. Unfortunately, if you don’t understand the tournament you’re playing in and how it’s worked out, it’s not the easiest to follow.”
Cook proposed an alternative approach, suggesting a two-year table encompassing all international cricket formats. He said this would create a comprehensive “World Championship” where every match carries weight.
“I think all international cricket, T20, one day and Test matches, should be put into a table for two years and see how that looks, because then it’s not a Test Championship, it’s a World Championship. That means every game you play has got relevance even if it’s just a T20. See how that works, because this has worked in one sense, you get one good final and everyone enjoys that. But in terms of generating real interest in it, I don’t think there’s real interest, no.”
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His comments echo England Test captain Ben Stokes’s earlier remarks about the Championship’s confusing nature. Stokes admitted to not even checking the standings.
England’s recent three-point penalty and fine for slow over-rates in Christchurch have placed them sixth in the table with a PCT of 42.50.
England secured an eight-wicket victory in the first Test, marked by debutant Jacob Bethell‘s match-winning runs and maiden half-century. Bethell’s achievement made him the first England player since Mike Gatting in 1978 to debut in Tests before scoring a first-class century.
Cook praised Bethell’s performance, highlighting his resilience in the first innings and showcasing his shot-making abilities in the second.
“I was impressed [by Bethell],” said Cook. “I particularly liked the way he gutsed it out in the first innings. The second innings, that was why he was picked for the white-ball, his array of shots…”
Cook acknowledged Bethell’s potential while recognising he is still developing his red-ball game. He believes Bethell possesses a unique quality that suggests a promising future in the sport.
“There’s a huge amount of growth there, without a doubt, but he’s nowhere near the finished article.”
Cook estimates Bethell is a year or two behind other players in terms of red-ball cricket experience. However, he sees significant potential in the young player’s abilities.
“He’s probably a year or two years behind a player in terms of knowing his red ball game. But I think all of us who have watched cricket, seen cricket and played cricket have seen something about him. It’s hard to always pinpoint what it is about certain players, but when you stand and watch him, he’s got a really good chance of making the next level and being really successful at that level for a good period of time.”
