[Raynman]

Though an unpopular statement with 'Purists', Test cricket is not worth saving. It can be kept around for its nostalgia feel but its time for ICC to back away from it and leave it to the individual boards.

1. There is no point in trying to expand to IRE, AFG etc. until Test Cricket is a viable investment where it can support itself withough being funded through the profits of ODIs and T20s

2. For those that point to 'Test Cricket is alive and well based on last year', the truth is that Test Cricket is alive and well in AUS, ENG and to a degree in SA and IND (when these two teams do well). Lack of respect for BD and ZIM despite their recent results are proof of that. Nobody other than the die hard fans of that country care for TESTs involving SL, NZ, PAK, WI, BD and ZIM. The fact that broadcasters can't find comfort in a return on investment on a TEST CHAMPIONSHIP says it all

3. Remove the permanent membership contingency with Test Status and expand the voting block in ICC. You can give special membership to the existing 10 where their votes carry heavier weight.

I say do away with the FTP and only have fixed limited overs tournaments (including qualifications as necessary), maybe throw in a bi-annual ODI league and leave the rest fo the boards. AUS/ENG can schedule their Ashes as long as it is not to the detriment of the fixed tournaments. Other boards can schedule Tests if they so choose with each other but it will have no context in the larger scheme of things.

T20 should be allowed to shine and become the flag-bearer for cricket as that is where the future lies for expansion, Olympics fixture etc.