ICC to consider Test league and play-off

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to approve recommendations for the creation of a Test league and play-off system designed to make matches more competitive.

The plan is that results from international Test series will be used to form an official table, with the top four teams going head-to-head to decide a Test champion.

It is thought the first play-off will take place in England in 2013 if the plans are approved.

Following a two-day meeting of the ICC chief executive’s committee (CEC) in Cape Town this week, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “I am really excited by what the CEC has proposed. Restructuring international cricket is a significant strategic challenge and one that must be dealt with.

“Achieving balance and unanimous agreement is not easy but it is a very important piece of work that requires a strategic response.

“We now have the potential to follow international cricket that is even more exciting.”

Crowds at Test matches have dropped in many countries since the introduction of the Twenty20 format of the game. The ICC has subsequently been looking for ways to generate renewed interest in the traditional format of the game.