Furball
Evil Scotsman
The important thing IMO is that the numbers for the top tier aren't set in stone.
I'd set the top tier at 8 teams right now. However, there should be no reason why the top tier can't include 9 or 10 teams, if Bangladesh, Ireland, Zimbabwe or whoever prove themselves worthy of a place at the top table. Equally, teams like New Zealand or West Indies should not be immune from demotion if they become as uncompetitive as the likes of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have been recently.
This would be done over a period of years - the top teams in tier 2 should be able to challenge the teams in tier 1 - as opposed to playing them in a 1 off match or series which in isolation proves nothing.
I'd set the top tier at 8 teams right now. However, there should be no reason why the top tier can't include 9 or 10 teams, if Bangladesh, Ireland, Zimbabwe or whoever prove themselves worthy of a place at the top table. Equally, teams like New Zealand or West Indies should not be immune from demotion if they become as uncompetitive as the likes of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have been recently.
This would be done over a period of years - the top teams in tier 2 should be able to challenge the teams in tier 1 - as opposed to playing them in a 1 off match or series which in isolation proves nothing.