I you are a regular visitor, you probably read one of my posts on how Test cricket should look in 2020. And I am not done yet.

Today, a short post as an addendum on The case for a second division in Test cricket in which I want focus on two things:

1. Promotion and relegation
2. Setting up the divisions

Promotion and relegation

So why does Test cricket need divisions and promotion/relegation play-offs? Because it brings something extra to the game. Being on top in the rankings doesn’t account for anything real now, nor does being at the bottom.

But if there is a chance on promotion, teams in the lower divisions will have an actual price to play for. Being the best in your division will actually amount to something. It gives teams a real goal to focus on.

Likewise for teams at the bottom of their division, if with a slightly different motivation.

It will make Test cricket all the more interesting.

And what’s in it for the team topping the first division? Well, it just so happens the ICC already thought about that: a Test championship tournament between the top four of the division.

Setting up the divisions

In 5 Steps to make Test cricket better I claimed it was easy to set up three divisions with Full and the Top Associate/Affiliate Members  based on the current rankings. It is, and the result looks great:

Division 1

1. India
2. South Africa
3. Australia
4. Sri Lanka
5. England
6. Pakistan

Division 2

1. New Zealand
2. West Indies
3. Bangladesh
4. Zimbabwe
5. Ireland

Division 3

1. Kenya
2. Netherlands
3. Afghanistan
4. Scotland
5. Canada

Three competitions that would have some great games and create quite a bit of excitement, don’t you think?