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Conferences, rather than divisions, may be the answer to the ICC impasse over the future structure of Test cricket, allowing a two-year build to a championship playoff without dividing the game into haves and have-nots.The concept of a conference-based split among 12 Test-playing nations - allowing room for the likes of Afghanistan or Ireland - was discussed in some detail at the recent ICC chief executives committee (CEC) meeting in Cape Town, after the idea of two divisions was struck down by the objections of some nations including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India.Their chief reason for opposition was worry about the thought of being consigned to a second tier of Test cricket, after fighting for many years to earn their way into Full Member status and its assorted playing and financial benefits. However there was also opposition to simply letting the present system of bilateral series stand untouched.Under the conference proposal, alternately-ranked teams would be grouped in separate conferences, down to teams placed 11 and 12. This would then mean that all six teams in each conference would play each other in at least one series over two years, with the possibility of one or two crossover series against teams from the other conference also available, as happens in Major League Baseball.At the end of the competition - to be completed with a Test Championship playoff between the two conference winners - the two groups would be reshuffled for the next edition, meaning all nations would play each other every six years.Among the more radical elements of the concept is that this championship would be the only Test cricket played, ruling out the possibility of icon series such as the Ashes being played outside the structure. While theyre icon [sic] and big series, its just not quite the same, a source close to the meetings told ESPNcricinfo. Theres also a feeling were playing enough cricket. We dont want to play more cricket.Member nations are said to be warming to this context far more than two-division cricket, as it removes the political hurdle of some teams having to submit to an inferior level of Test cricket. The only compromise in terms of opponents will be the amount of matches played within a given series - Ashes contests would remain played over five Tests, while lower profile encounters would be able to be played over a lesser length, most likely a minimum of two Tests.That flexibility means there will need to be further discussion of the best structure for awarding points for match and series wins. If theres 30 points available for a series and you play a five-match series, you might get six points a match, and if it is a two-match series it might be 15 points a match, the source said. That sort of thing needs to be further explored.League structures for ODI and Twenty20 matches remain on course, while a detailed, theoretical Test schedule is now being prepared, ahead of the ICCs formal meetings in February next year.Other matters, such as the internal wrangling at the BCCI and also the concurrent work on a revised governance model for the ICC board, may yet have some influence on events. The push for a pooled television rights deal is also ongoing, while the ICC is working on arranging a meeting between the BCCI and the IOC about crickets inclusion for the Olympics. Shayne Gostisbehere Flyers Jersey . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Oskar Lindblom Flyers Jersey . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. http://www.flyersteamstoreonline.com/authentic-james-van-riemsdyk-flyers-jersey/ . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U. Scott Laughton Jersey . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Oskar Lindblom Jersey Bomani Jones hosts live from the Clevelander in Miami and welcomes The Undefeateds Domonique Foxworth (4:30 p.m. ET), ESPN NFL analyst Joe Banner (5:30), Chargers DL Joey Bosa (6:15) and MLB on ESPN Radios Dan Shulman (6:30) to the show.Tweet Bomani aat twitter.ddddddddddddom/bomani_jones -- while hes live with you from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio and ESPNRadio.com. ' ' '