ICC uncertain over Test Championship

The ICC has failed to reach any conclusion regarding the future of 2013 Test Championship in its last Executive Board meeting of the year, which held at Dubai.

The ICC has failed to reach any conclusion regarding the future of 2013 Test Championship in its last Executive Board meeting of the year, which held at Dubai.

The Test Championship which was expected to be held in 2013 by replacing Champions Trophy, now could be delayed till 2017 due to commercial challenges, hinted ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat

Lorgat said that it's difficult to organise this new tournament without the support of ESPN Star Sports, who are the official broadcaster of ICC tournaments till 2015 World Cup.

"The ICC Executive Board confirmed their preference to host an ICC Test Championship in 2013 but recognized the significant commercial challenge in trying to replace the Champions Trophy,"

"Without the support and consent of the ICC's broadcast partner, ESPN Star Sports, the financial implications on the Members and the development of the game would be significant. It would be unfortunate if the Test Championship is delayed to 2017 but the board needs to balance several objectives," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a press release.

The Test Championship was designed as a knock-out tournament between the top four ranked teams, with the two semi-finals and the final are scheduled to be held in England.