Kane Williamson has again asked administrators to invest time, cash and care in the longest form of the game, arguing that Test cricket needs help “sooner rather than later” if it is to stay healthy outside the traditional heartlands.
The New Zealand batter, 35, spoke in Mumbai during the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards, where he accepted that jam-packed calendars make bold change tricky but still urged boards to “place greater importance” on the format and steer clear of quick-fix ideas.
“There’s been a lot of discussion about the Test game and how to keep breathing life into it, especially in countries where it’s facing greater challenges,” Williamson said on the sidelines of the event on Tuesday. “The concern with a potential two-tier system is how teams in the second tier can continue to improve and work their way up to the top division.”
The prospect of promotion and relegation has surfaced in ICC meetings this year, with weaker Test sides such as West Indies and Bangladesh worried about being cut adrift. Williamson is sympathetic, stressing that any split must be matched by money, facilities and meaningful fixtures for those in the lower tier.
“There are already many conversations around this, but the reality is that the impact has been felt for some time, so finding a solution sooner would be better. The Test format needs greater importance placed on it by all playing nations, along with additional resources to support its growth. As a passionate supporter of Test cricket, I would love to see it thrive.”
Series length still matters
Williamson, who has previously suggested ring-fenced windows for Test tours, is no fan of two-match contests. They offer precious little room for ebb-and-flow and rarely decide anything other than ranking points.
“These circumstances aren’t ideal, but the Test game faces more challenges in some countries than others. Organising three- or four-match Test series is difficult commercially, making it hard for boards to support,” he said. “However, the Test Championship has helped provide context, leading to more results and making the competition meaningful for teams.”
In short, the World Test Championship (WTC) has added a ladder to climb, yet the rungs remain uneven. Smaller boards still rely heavily on television income from visiting so-called Big Three teams, and that discourages longer, costlier tours. Williamson knows the economics, but he is not giving up.
“While some adjustments are needed, the international schedule is very busy with both international and franchise cricket, creating clashes and challenges for players. Managing priorities on the calendar is a big task.
“Two-match Test series aren’t ideal – I’ve played many for New Zealand and we always want more [games in a series] – but often this is the reality. I would love to see the Test game grow with more opportunities for teams and countries to develop, but those are complex discussions.”
A lighter Black Caps deal, but appetite intact
Williamson recently gave up a full New Zealand Cricket contract, switching to a casual agreement that lets him choose assignments and protect a body now prone to niggles. That decision, he insists, is about balance rather than winding down.
“I still love playing the game, and every opportunity to represent New Zealand remains special,” he said. “I recently spent some time in England, and although the team [New Zealand] hasn’t played a lot of cricket lately, we have a busy schedule ahead.
“Looking back on my international career, I feel incredibly grateful for the journey. There have been transitions with new players coming in, and for me, it’s been about moving from captaincy to continuing as part of the group. I still feel connected to that community and want to contribute to a team that’s heading in the right direction. There’s always plenty to look forward to.”
Injuries cost him last year’s three-Test trip to India, a series the Black Caps drew respectable crowds but little traction in prime-time slots. That absence, plus the rise of domestic leagues, fed speculation that Williamson might focus solely on shorter formats. On current evidence, he remains committed to wearing the whites whenever circumstances allow.
Room for compromise
Cricket’s administrators now face a familiar balancing act: protecting a 147-year-old format while keeping players fresh and broadcasters satisfied. Williamson’s message cuts through the noise—if Test cricket is to flourish everywhere, not just in England, Australia and India, boards must put genuine resources behind the rhetoric.
The next ICC meeting will revisit the two-tier proposal. Whether it passes or not, Williamson’s plea for funding, context and proper series lengths should be ringing in the delegates’ ears.
