Former West Indies fast bowler Kenneth Benjamin has endorsed the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) proposed two-tier Test cricket system, calling it a long-overdue change that could benefit the sport, particularly for associate nations.

Benjamin’s opinion comes amid ongoing discussions about the potential restructuring, as he described the concept as crucial for the growth of cricket globally.

“I think it is better for a lot of the teams if they have a two-tier [system]. And, honestly, I know West Indies may feel it a bit if they’re pushed down in that, but I believe it is something that is overdue,” he stated.

According to reports, the proposed system would see the top Test teams compete against each other, while those in the lower half of the ICC rankings would contest the second tier.

Though CWI president Dr. Kishore Shallow, who is also a director with ICC, recently labelled news of the proposed change as a possible rumor, as nothing has been tabled, Benjamin believes a promotion-relegation mechanism would foster improvement if materialized.

Acknowledging the West Indies’ potential placement in the second tier, Benjamin admitted it might be a bitter pill for regional fans to swallow. However, he argued that such a scenario could serve as a wake-up call and an opportunity for growth.

"That's how we’re going to know if they’re getting better,” he said, pointing to the tangible goals and opportunities this structure could provide for teams in the second tier.

“It also gives the team in the bottom tier something to really work at. It’s not just that they’re playing at that level. It’s that they can get the opportunity to go up and play against the best teams and the best players in the world,” Benjamin explained.

Benjamin also shared a broader perspective on the evolution of Caribbean cricket, predicting a future where individual islands like Antigua, Barbados, and others might compete separately, akin to football’s national team structure.

“It may not be in our lifetime, but it’s going to happen. just like how we see football is,” he noted.

Not all cricketing voices agree with Benjamin’s stance. Former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd has expressed strong opposition against the proposal, warning that a two-tier system could spell the end to the West Indies rubbing shoulders with the world’s best in that format.