I actually think the penalty relating to the WTC makes a lot of sense, in an ideal world at least. I guess for it to really matter though two things need to change:
1) Every ranking on the table should have a different prize money level, and the difference between them all should be significant. Make there be large incentives both to the players and the boards.
2) Promotion / relegation. This really should have been a no brainer when the WTC was first set up.
lol they can't even have a system where each other team plays each other (let alone the India v Pakistan situation).
Think the original idea was a 7-5 split , but India was worried if they got relegated , then "conned" their "friends" to vote against that proposal , not knowing that India were never going to agree to 2 Divisions.
Certainly was pointless given Afghanistan & Ireland test status when they (and Zimbabwe are not involved in the WTC) , they were both playing more first class cricket when the ICC Intercontinental Cup (4 day cricket) was operating , now that has been scrapped.
The ODI League is also bring scrapped so another pathway for the Associates to aim for has been closed.
Don't mind the prize money idea but I am sure India generates the majority.of $ for the ICC so not sure how that would be work.
Still won't surprise me if the WTC is scrapped altogether and Australia , England & India (possibly South Africa) play more and more between each other.