Fears of India breaking away from ICC behind CA's support to financial revamp

Cricket Australia supported the controversial plan to revamp the the International Cricket Council after it emerged that India could break away from the world governing body, a development that could bring the game of cricket to its knees.

A redistribution of finances is central to the proposed reforms, which will be discussed next week by the ICC's executive board. A key element of the plan is for a new four-man executive committee in which CA, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the England and Wales Cricket Board would all be guaranteed a place with the other position selected by them each year.

Other changes would include a two-tiered system for Test cricket - in which Australia, India and England would be exempted from relegation - and removal of control over scheduling from the ICC to allow countries to essentially pick and choose who they play.

Sources say Australia is acting in a bid to keep India along, as there is a genuine threat that the BCCI through its broadcast deals generates at least 70 per cent of the game's revenue, could quit the ICC if the present distribution model is not changed.

One scenario that has been discussed in Australian cricket circles would be a significantly expanded Indian Premier League where the competition's franchises could try and poach the world's best players out of Test and other international cricket with huge offers, The Sydney Morning herald reports.

As it stands, 75 per cent of ICC earnings are divided between the 10 full member countries equally and the remainder goes to associate members. In the lead-up to negotiations for the next ICC commercial rights cycle - covering the period from 2015 to 2023 - India want to receive a share of the global game's money that reflects the proportion of revenue they generate.

Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani has already slammed it as unconstitutional.

The draft plan was criticised heavily on Wednesday by the players' body, the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations.