Baseball-style conference structure proposed for Tests

Conferences, rather than divisions, may be the answer to the ICC impasse over the future structure of Test cricket, allowing a two-year build to a championship playoff without dividing the game into haves and have-nots.

The concept of a conference-based split among 12 Test-playing nations – allowing room for the likes of Afghanistan or Ireland – was discussed in some detail at the recent ICC chief executives’ committee (CEC) meeting in Cape Town, after the idea of two divisions was a href=”http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/1055073.html” target=”_blank”>struck down by the objections of some nations including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India.

Their chief reason for opposition was worry about the thought of being consigned to a “second tier” of Test cricket, after fighting for many years to earn their way into Full Member status and its assorted playing and financial benefits. However there was also opposition to simply letting the present system of bilateral series stand untouched.

Under the conference proposal, alternately-ranked teams would be grouped in separate conferences, down to teams placed 11 and 12. This would then mean that all six teams in each conference would …

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