The proposal for a ICC World League, first revealed in the last edition of the 'Beyond The Test World', is currently being considered by Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC, following its circulation via email and facsimile yesterday (Tuesday, April 24)).

Under the proposal, all Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC would be ranked and split into divisions of varying number.

The first four divisions would comprise six countries each, with each subsequent division comprising 12 countries each (presuming all ICC members take part).

For example -
Division One would comprise countries 1-6,
Division Two - countries 7-12
Division Three - countries 13-18
Division Four - countries 19-24
Division Five - countries 25-36
Division Six - countries 37-48
Division Seven - countries 49-60
Division Eight - countries 61-72.

All of the teams in each division would contest a tournament every two years starting in 2003, with the tournaments taking place within a period to be specified, taking into account the difference in the seasons of the various countries involved and the location of the tournaments.

The proposal leaves open the method of determining the various venues at this stage. In the case of the top divisions, the venue could either be one of the Test countries or one of the competing countries. In the divisions which primarily feature Affiliate Members, an Associate member may be considered as a venue where the facilities are considered adequate.

The 12 team divisions would be split into two groups of six, with each group conducting a round robin. The top two from each group would play semifinals and then a final, as would the middle two, and then the bottom two. This would take place over 11 days, on which seven would be playing days.

Promotion and relegation would operate between the divisions, with the top team in divisions two to eight being promoted to the division immediately above it. The bottom team in each division with the obvious exclusion of Division Eight are relegated to the one immediately below it.

For the initial tournaments of the 'World League', the proposal calls the results of this year's ICC Trophy tournament in Toronto, Canada to be used to rank the first first four divisions. Given that most observers consider Second Division countries in this year's ICC Trophy to have little chance of qualifying for the last six, this is certain to be contentious.

A World League committee would rank the remaining divisions. Due to the fact that many of the Affiliate members have played little cricket on the international stage, the committee would in the case of the 2003 tournamens, act on the advice of the ICC's global and regional development managers.

Every four years, starting in 2005 when it would replace the ICC Trophy, the top two divisions would play in a tournament of 12, competing for the allocated number of places for the next World Cup.

The various regional and continental tournaments would operate separately from the World League.

The proposal calls for the League to be funded by the Associates' share in World Cup proceeds, as well as any sponsorship that is generated.

The aforementioned World League committtee would comprise the following:
(1) The Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee
(2) The Associate Members' representatives elected on to the ICC Executive Board
(3) The Associate Members' representatives elected on to the ICC Cricket Committee
(4) The ICC Development Manager
[Note: This composition ensures that no separate meeting costs need be encountered]

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