Published: Feb 26, 2016, 11:16 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 26, 2016, 11:16 AM (IST)
International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to consider a proposal that will see Test cricket divided into two divisions with relegation and promotion and addition of two new nations. ICC Chief David Richardson is looking into the new idea that would provide all three formats of cricket a better prospect from 2019. The discussion that is still restricted within the governing body is about placing seven nations into division one and five in division two, with promotion and relegation decided every two years. 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 ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. READ: ICC needs to stand up to save cricket in Ireland!
According to Guardian.com, division one will feature the top seven nations, who will play a series against each other, either away or home. And the side with most number of wins will seal the Test championship. The side that finished in the bottom will face relegation.
Based on the current rankings, eighth-placed West Indies would slip into division two, which would still have full Test status, along with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The two best teams from the 2015-17 Intercontinental Cup, the First-Class tournament for the Associate Nations will be added in the second division. However, the results would be barring Ireland, who currently top the table but are yet to gain a Test status.
The divisional matches will not stretch to more than five months in order to permit the countries to organise their additional tours. For example, the Ashes will be played on regular basis even if Australia and England are in different divisions.
