The last "tour" England made of Zimbabwe, even SKY didn't bother covering, the BBC were not allowed into the country and I can't see any other British network that would be keen to show it!!

If Zimbabwe could pull a full strength side together they would deserve to be up there, but at present that prospect is a long way off. Be honest - and without looking up on cricinfo - how many of you can name the Zimbabwe Captain, opening bowler, keeper and opening bowler, off the top of your head. I can do it with every other Test nation (except England as they haven't got a clue who any of them are!!).

My system of a two tier Test championship will give sides, like Ireland, the opportunity to earn Test status, rather than being given it. The prospect of playing Test cricket will then keep the Portfield's, O'Briens etc in the team (rather than playing for England) but there is no point doing what was done with Bangladesh and offering them 5 years of being beaten in three days.