Next six

SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith: As Test cricket grapples with an uncertain future, former South Africa captain and SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith believes the sport is at a crossroads. While he acknowledges the growing dominance of the Big Three — India, England, and Australia — Smith remains cautiously optimistic about the survival of the longest format of the game.

However, the signs of decline are evident. Many of the so-called ‘Next Six’ teams — South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the West Indies — are struggling to compete against the Big Three, particularly in the away series. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken steps to create a structured context through the World Test Championship (WTC), the disparity between teams is only widening.

Smith refutes the notion that South African players are abandoning Test cricket for franchise leagues but concedes that the landscape is evolving, with a clear divide emerging between cricket’s powerhouses and the chasing pack.