The International Cricket Council (ICC) is working towards the creation of a league which will see the top 13 national cricket teams take each other on in a brand new ODI format, ESPNCricinfo reported.

The league, which will give 50-over cricket a facelift, will see the teams play three ODIs against each other over the course of three years — the fourth year cycle designated for the World Cup preparation.

Afghanistan, Ireland and Nepal are reportedly the favoured options to join the 10 Test playing nations for the league.

The top two sides, at the end of the competition will be taking on each other in a play-off series to determine the overall winner.

The system also introduces the prospect of relegation and promotion. The side finishing bottom of the league will see itself play the lower division called the World Cricket League Championship, possibly after a play-off with the lower division’s champions.

Associate teams, through the prospect of the ODI league, will get to play more matches with top cricket sides, which will potentially attract sponsors and give them the opportunity to progress faster in the international setup.

World Cup qualification and seeding process may also be determined by the league results.

ODI cricket, which has suffered between the two extremes of traditional and modern day cricket in Tests and T20s, may with the inception of this league, achieve a revitalised sense of purpose and attention from fans.

The plans will be discussed further at the ICC Annual Conference set to be held at Edinburgh at the end of the month.