I love the idea of divisions in test matches. We have the divisions in the World Cricket League already for 50 over matches, which qualifies teams for the Intercontinental Shield, but then there is the glass ceiling. That is as far as the associates and affiliates can rise.
I'm making this up as I type, so bear with me...
What if we divided the top 12 teams into 3 divisions of 4 teams? Based on current test rankings, that would be:
Division 1 = India, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka
Division 2 = Australia, Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand
Division 3 = Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Scotland (these based on the latest Intercontinental Shield)
Over a 2 year period, teams play home and away 3 test series. That makes 18 tests over the period. At the end of the period, the top team is promoted, the bottom team is relegated and we have the world test champion crowned.
Of course the first division teams would make more money. But they do this already! Can you imagine the level of excitement for teams fighting for promotion or trying to hold on against relegation? Every test match would have context and teams would be fairly evenly matched. Cricket fans would not only want to follow the results of their own team, but the other teams in their division.
If a team isn't good enough to be in Division 1, so be it. I'm an Australian but I have to admit we don't deserve to be at the top at the moment. But I am sure the Australian cricketers would fight like mad to get back to the top!
Now, having 9 tests per year still leaves time for other matches to be played. If Australia and England want to play against each other and they are in different divisions, they should be free to still play test matches. They just need to work it in to fit around the required matches.
Whether Division 1 only, or top 2 (or 3 or whatever) matches count as test matches can be argued but to me that is not relevant. Stats are great to play with but the game of cricket should not be run for the sake of stats!