The International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating coming
up with a two-division Test cricket format in order to make the longest
format of the game more competitive. The two-division split will allow
for relegation and promotion of teams from the respective divisions,
reported the Guardian.
The top-seven ranked Test sides will be a part of the first division,
while the next three (West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at present)
will be in the second division. They will retain their Test status and
will play alongside the two best teams from the second tier group based
on their performance in the Intercontinental Cup. Thus, there will be
five teams playing in the second division.
The last placed team from division one will be relegated to division
two, while the best team from division two will get promoted. Every team
from each division will play a Test series at home or away in the two
year period.
The proposal is likely to be put forward in the ICC's annual
conference, set to be held in June and could come into effect after the
2019 World Cup.
The plans are still not fool-proof with numerous issues yet to be
discussed, especially the financial complications. With some of the
boards not in a state to host matches that aren't as lucrative, ICC
plans to fund such series.
ICC is also contemplating changes in One-Day Internationals (ODIs)
and Twenty20 Internationals, but the design isn't as detailed. One of
the options taken into consideration is to have two divisions of six
teams each.
