Exclusive by Oliver Brett

Hogg, currently the bowling coach of Zimbabwe, the second poorest country of the 10 Test nations, is also an advocate of having two tiers in Test cricket.

Could Darren Lehmann have played for Bangladesh?

Hogg told the BBC Sport website he believed it "reeked of lunacy" for a full-strength Australia Test side to be playing Bangladesh, which they are doing in July.

But he said Australia were right to pick their best players.

"If you're a Test cricketer for Australia you would hate to be left out based on who you are playing against.

"I don't think the ICC [International Cricket Council] is right. There should be two sections in Test cricket. I think sides being beaten in two days is no good to anybody.

"And I think you might have a couple of bottom sides being allowed to have a couple of overseas players.

"It would allow them to strengthen up a bit while they go through some interesting times.

"I remember playing Sri Lanka in 1983 and they have been very, very good since then but they needed time to come to grips with Test cricket.

It would allow talented people who don't have the opportunity to play Test cricket to get a game or two Rodney Hogg

"The Bangladesh blokes will learn if they have close games and if they don't get thrashed. Who wants to go to a Test and watch a two-day match?"

Hogg cited the example of Australian batsman Darren Lehmann who has played only fleetingly for his country in Tests despite being one of the best cricketers in the world.

"Look at Darren Lehmann," he said. "Five Test matches only - it would have been good if Bangladesh were in trouble, get Darren on the phone, ask him 'Darren can you play for us for a season or two?'

Tigers seek improvement

"It would allow talented people who don't have the opportunity to play Test cricket to get a game or two.

"Whoever might be the fourth lowest rated side would have one overseas player, the bottom two sides might have two, just to even it up a bit."

Last Thursday, the ICC said it was conducting "a comprehensive review of the way that international cricket is structured."

But the concept of overseas players is not likely to be considered. "Eligibility rules are not anticipated to be part of the review," the ICC's Brendon McClements told the BBC Sport website.