| Test and one-day international league plans pass initial ICC hurdle • Chief executives' committee recommends introduction• Test league to produce winner after four-team play-offThe possibility of a Test league and play-off series has moved a step closer after the International Cricket Council's chief executives' committee recommended its introduction during their two-day meeting in Cape Town.Under the CEC's recommendations, which must still be taken to the ICC board for consideration, a four-year Test championship will be introduced with a four-team play-off series to be held at the end of each cycle to decide a Test champion.A first play-off series has been scheduled for 2013 with suggestions that England might stage the event instead of the Champions Trophy, which is set to be held in the UK that year.The CEC proposed a one-day international league – from April 2011 to April 2014 – to crown a 50-over champion. Under that proposal the ODI league would run separately from the 50-over World Cup, which may be reduced to 10 teams from the 14 competing next year.The ICC chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, praised the CEC for their "far-reaching proposals" as the governing body attempts to refresh interest in the five-day game. Crowds at Test venues have fallen in most countries as the popularity of limited-overs cricket, especially Twenty20, has increased and forced the ICC to look for new avenues to create interest.Lorgat said he would attempt to convene the ICC board to discuss the recommendations "as soon as possible" and, added: "I am really excited by what the CEC has proposed. Restructuring international cricket is a significant strategic challenge and one that must be dealt with."Other recommendations put forward were for the World Twenty20 to be increased to 16 teams from the 2012 tournament in Sri Lanka, with the women's tournament to be run alongside the men's event. There are plans to create a Twenty20 rankings table as soon as justifiable.Cricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
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