The long running idea of a Test World Cup may be finally being put into practice by the ICC.
ICC chief executive Dave Richardson is due to meet with power-brokers from Australia, England and India to discuss the idea of a World Test Championship.
The idea was first proposed a few years ago but broadcasters, who provide most of the money for international cricket tournaments, decided to stick with the one-day version – the Champion’s Trophy.
Now the ICC appear to want a World Cup-style tournament in all three formats of the game, as there is already the Twenty20 World Cup along with the 50-over version.
The concept would be that whichever four Test sides are ranked highest in the ICC rankings 12 months before the start of the tournament, would play in two semi-finals and then a final to decide who is crowned champion.
Initial concerns with a World Test Championship was that it would take far too long, but the new idea is more attractive as it would only take 15 days to complete.
However, this time period is weather dependent and with England poised to be the first hosts of the new tournament then weather could play a very significant part.
Any suggested playing conditions is set to be discussed by the ICC’s Cricket Committee though, which is chaired by former Indian spinner Anil Kumble and also has ex-England captain Andrew Strauss as a member.
The ICC would have to thoroughly plan the new competition as well with the fiasco of the seemingly never-ending Champion’s Trophy of 2009 fresh in their minds.
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