The Int'l Cricket Council is considering a "radical proposal that would see Test cricket split into two divisions with promotion and relegation between them, and places granted to two new nations," according to Tim Wigmore of the London GUARDIAN. In a bid to "bolster the appeal" of int'l cricket the ICC, led by CEO David Richardson, is "exploring a number of options that would provide greater context" to all three formats of the game from '19. It is understood that the "preferred idea within the governing body at present, in terms of Test cricket, is a plan to place seven nations into division one and five in division two, with promotion and relegation decided every two years." In division one it is "envisaged that all seven nations would play a series against each other, either home or away, over a two-year cycle." The leading team would win the Test championship, "while the bottom side would face relegation." This proposal is "likely to be put to the ICC board" at the annual conference in Edinburgh in June, and could "come into effect after the 2019 World Cup." Plans for one-day int'l and Twenty20 cricket are "less advanced in terms of detail, although the ICC is keen to restructure both formats." The proposals are designed to "combat the loss of relevance of bilateral cricket, especially Tests, and concerns that matches lack clear consequences for victory and defeat, as well as the fixture uncertainty many countries face." A senior source said that convincing full members to vote for such reforms will be "a massive job" (GUARDIAN, 2/25).
