One of the biggest shake-ups in cricket history could take place when the sport's global governing body convenes in Edinburgh today
ICC CEO David Richardson
London: One of the biggest shake-ups in cricket history could take place when the sport's global governing body convenes in Edinburgh today.
ICC CEO David Richardson
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Radical plans for the creation of two divisions in Test cricket and a one-day international league will be on the agenda of the International Cricket Council's week-long annual meeting in the Scottish capital.
Since Australia and England played the first Test in 1877, international matches have largely been matters for the two countries concerned and the same has generally been true of ODIs outside of tournaments such as the World Cup.
With many top players increasingly tempted by offers to play in domestic Twenty20 events such as the Indian Premier League, where they can earn more money in less time than by playing Tests, officials are keen to give the long-format game greater "context". This, they believe, would make it more attractive to broadcasters and so help generate greater revenues.
ICC chief executive David Richardson is behind a scheme that would see the creation of seven teams in Division One and five, including two new Test nations, in Division Two.
They would play in a league system where there was promotion and relegation. Each team in the top tier would play every other side home or away in a two-year cycle.
Matches and series would each be given a set number of points — the exact figures are still to be decided — to determine the standings.
At the end of the cycle, the bottom team would be relegated, with the team on top the new world Test champions.
Similar considerations are behind plans to introduce a 13-team ODI league which, as with the new Test structure would begin in 2019. The set-up could also see countries such as Ireland, long the leading Associate ICC nation, finally get a crack at Test cricket.
Under the revised arrangements the 50-over Champions Trophy would be scrapped as the new league, which could act as a qualifier for the World Cup, would give ODIs all the 'context' they needed.
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