The World League proposal, first revealed in the April 25 edition of 'Beyond The Test World' is believed to have gained widespread acceptance amongst Associate members of the International Cricket Council as the format to replace the present ICC Trophy structure as a World Cup qualifying tournament.

The concept was discussed by representatives of the Associate members at the annual meeting in London last month. According to a well placed source, members were generally receptive to the concept.

However, further fine-tuning is expected to take place between now and October, when it is hoped a proposal will be forwarded to the Executive Committee of the ICC.

The concept would see Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC ranked from 1-72. The original concept envisaged all countries being split into divisions according to their ranking regardless of geography and meeting in tournaments every two years.

It is now likely the top few divisions only would be based on ranking alone. Those countries not competing in the higher divisions would meet in regional tournaments, with an unspecified number qualifying for the lowest placed 'World League' divisions.

One of the issues still to be clarified is how promotion and relegation will operate between the lowest 'World League' division and the five ICC development regions.

The concept, if adlopted, would replace a series of regional qualifying tournaments for a scaled down ICC Trophy of about 12 teams as the favoured qualifying path for non-Test countries.

The First Division of the World League is likely to have a reduced number of teams from the 12 team First Division ICC Trophy which is winding up this week. Teams at the top end of the Associate level are seeking a consistently higher standard of opposition as a means of improving their own standards.

Meanwhile, it is understood there are moves to scrap One Day International status, previously awarded to Bangladesh (which has since achieved Test status) and Kenya.

This is believed to have been prompted by the failure of ODI status to provide Kenya with regular matches against the Test playing nations outside the World Cups.

With the Full Member countries wanting to issue invitations only to countries who fill grounds and are television ratings winners, the situation was not hard to foresee.

ODI status' only saviour would be to introduce a 10 year mandatory cycle recently implemented into Test cricket.

Some Associate officials argue Kenya now receives less match play than the stronger Associates.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd