"When you don't have quality, that's when the ratings go down, there are fewer people in the crowd, cricket is meaningless, which is the last thing the sport wants. You have 12 Test teams. Take it down to six or seven and you have a system of promotions and relegations.
"You can have two tiers but let the top six keep playing to keep interest in Test cricket. You can spread the game (to the world) in other formats like T20," Shastri said at the MCC World Cricket Connects event. in the Lord.
MCC president Mark Nicholas said money from T20 cricket could be the only way to sustain the game's finances. "T20 cricket is the giant that everyone wants. It's where the new market is, where the fans are and where the money is. In cricket, money is considered a dirty word, but it shouldn't be because it's the only way to sustain the game.
Former Australia opener and head coach Justin Langer said he wanted international cricket to be protected because of its impact on young people, citing West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph's memorial debut in Australia earlier in this year.
"Australia captivated and brought the Caribbean to life. Last week we saw a million people turn out to watch India celebrate their World Cup victory. That's bilateral cricket and international cricket."
Lord's, the iconic cricket venue, will host the first Test between England and West Indies on July 10, which will also be the farewell match for veteran pacer James Anderson.
Speaking about the focus on the upcoming Test series, Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies (CWI), said: "It's probably the most important Test series we play, it's the barometer of how the team is developing."
"We are coming off the top, there is obviously a big gap since that incredible day at the Gabba, and for several players, this will be the first time they have played at Lord's. "They are playing for the Richards-Botham Trophy, the ultimate example of friendship and camaraderie between England and the West Indies.”
"Being here is always special, but I think it's fantastic that our players are announcing themselves to the English public with a series of tests at Lord's," he concluded.
"You can have two tiers but let the top six keep playing to keep interest in Test cricket. You can spread the game (to the world) in other formats like T20," Shastri said at the MCC World Cricket Connects event. in the Lord.
MCC president Mark Nicholas said money from T20 cricket could be the only way to sustain the game's finances. "T20 cricket is the giant that everyone wants. It's where the new market is, where the fans are and where the money is. In cricket, money is considered a dirty word, but it shouldn't be because it's the only way to sustain the game.
Former Australia opener and head coach Justin Langer said he wanted international cricket to be protected because of its impact on young people, citing West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph's memorial debut in Australia earlier in this year.
"Australia captivated and brought the Caribbean to life. Last week we saw a million people turn out to watch India celebrate their World Cup victory. That's bilateral cricket and international cricket."
Lord's, the iconic cricket venue, will host the first Test between England and West Indies on July 10, which will also be the farewell match for veteran pacer James Anderson.
Speaking about the focus on the upcoming Test series, Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies (CWI), said: "It's probably the most important Test series we play, it's the barometer of how the team is developing."
"We are coming off the top, there is obviously a big gap since that incredible day at the Gabba, and for several players, this will be the first time they have played at Lord's. "They are playing for the Richards-Botham Trophy, the ultimate example of friendship and camaraderie between England and the West Indies.”
"Being here is always special, but I think it's fantastic that our players are announcing themselves to the English public with a series of tests at Lord's," he concluded.
