A timeless Test to decide the best? Likely, says ICC

Test cricket, which has struggled to maintain its profile since the advent of Twenty20, currently has a rankings system but no tournament to determine the top Test nation. The ICC has proposed a quadrennial tournament with the four best-performing nations to meet in semi-finals before playing off for the world title in a bid to boost flagging interest in the longest form of the sport.

"I think the first possible opportunity for us to have a playoff is in 2013 which means that the current rankings table would need to be used," Lorgat said. "For example, right now Australia would be struggling to qualify for the playoffs. But there may be another scenario with somebody else would also be in the frame depending on this result they might slip in."

Australia are ranked fifth in the current Test standings, and England are placed fourth. "Going forward we're looking at a league table that would be worked on points and for match winnings," Lorgat said, but details on how to treat draws, which occur regularly in Test cricket, were yet to be decided.

"One option is whichever is the highest ranked team would progress through. There's the possibility of the timeless Test, you've got to get to a result," he added.

Fewer teams in 2015 WC

Lorgat also confirmed the 2015 ODI World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand would be stripped from 14 teams to 10, while the biennial Twenty20 World Cup tournament would be expanded from 12 to 16. Sri Lanka will host the T20 World Cup in 2012. "In my view (the T20 World Cup) is a better vehicle to develop and promote the game whereas the World Cup should be the flagship event," he said.

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