International Cricket Council chief David Richardson has put the proposal, usually associated with soccer, firmly on the agenda, and wants a decision by the end of the year.

A Cricket Australia spokesman told Fairfax Media on Friday the governing body was keen to explore the idea.

"Test cricket is one of three formats played at international level. Test cricket is highly valued by millions of Australian cricket fans and we support any initiative that enhances its popularity and relevance in the modern age," he said.

"We firmly believe that improved structure and context for international cricket – Tests and limited-overs formats – will have a positive impact on the game and drive stronger appeal for fans.

"As such, we are supportive of this concept and interested to hear more, and look forward to working with ICC management and other boards to progress this concept.

"We also support innovations in the way Test cricket is played – and believe that initiatives like day-night Test cricket enhance the appeal of Test cricket and make the format more appealing and accessible to cricket fans."

There would be many issues to debate before the two-tiered concept could be given approval. Among these, officials would need to determine how many of the 10 current Test nations would remain in the top league, and how many nations would be needed in the second tier. Richardson is in favour of seven in the top tier and five below, with relegation and promotion every two years.

There would also be an impact on statistics – would second-tier performances count in Test records? Another view is that there is already too much Test cricket, and a two-tiered system would mean even more matches. Test cricket is struggling to retain attendance interest in many countries outside of Australia and England, with India also a major concern.

"There's a general realisation now that, if we're going to keep Test cricket going well into the future, we can't just say it's going to survive on its own," Richardson said.

"Unless we can give some meaning to these series beyond the rankings and a trophy, then interest in Test cricket will continue to waver. The same applies if we allow uncompetitive Test cricket to take place too often."

Plans to revamp Test cricket, including the initially much-hyped Test championship featuring the four best nations, have been scuttled before. The Test championship struggled to find a broadcaster due to fears India may not be involved.

CA's determination to stage a day-night Test against New Zealand last summer was seen as a positive way to engineer greater viewer interest, and the pink-ball clash is set to go ahead again this summer, against South Africa in Adelaide and, for the first time, in Brisbane against Pakistan. South Africa's cricketers will meet with their union this weekend to make a final call.

CA is also grappling with how best to have players prepared for an Ashes tour. Former Australian captain Steve Waugh said on Friday the team's batting problems had been technical, and not due to the Duke balls used in England.

Fairfax Media had revealed Cricket Australia's plans to use the English balls during this summer's Sheffield Shield season were in doubt.

"I think it [the ball] is a bit overstated. It didn't cause us too many problems back in the '80s and '90s. I think it's more technique not the ball they're using," he said on SEN.

Australia have not won in England since 2001 when Waugh, who did not play in a losing series in England, was captain.