New proposal to revolutionise Test world championship

A new proposal under consideration is all set to revolutionise Test cricket, with the two best nations to play a grand final possibly over six days or, even until there is a result.

Cricket Australia [ Images ] chief executive James Sutherland is confident his ICC [ Images ] counterparts will take their first steps towards a points-based system since a detailed plan devised by former Kiwi Test skipper Martin Crowe last September on how a Test championship would work.

Crowe, who is a member of the MCC's world cricket committee, formulated a knockout Test championship to be held every year with a grand final to be played at Lord's in London [ Images ].

The teams would gain points for each Test they win and bonuses for large victories, which would be charted on a ladder to determine the top two sides in the world after the allocated season, The Sydney [ Images ] Morning Herald reported.

Any championship would radically change the context of series, with points on the line even in dead-rubber matches, and should improve ratings for broadcasters.

"A Test championship is a good initiative and brings a climax and a big global event around Test cricket. All the ICC global events forever and a day have been for the shorter forms of the game …," Sutherland said.

Sutherland said a grand final could be held at a neutral venue, and if there was only room for one match, it could be a timeless Test or run over six days to maximise chances of a result.

It is unclear whether the crowded future tours program, which demands that each Test nation play each other home and away within the four-year framework, could be remodelled to allow a grand final each year.