ECB behind Test championship: Collier

International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat had suggested England and India were the only countries blocking the proposed venture, but ECB chiefs have been receptive to such a model for Test cricket for some time - their only concerns being over the mechanism employed.

Subsequent correspondence between the ECB and ICC on Tuesday was followed by a statement from ECB chief executive David Collier, who said: "England has consistently stated it supports a play-off for a Test championship. Indeed, Haroon Lorgat's own staff have approached ECB in the past month to stage the final in England, which was warmly received and supported by ECB."

Various models have been put forward in the past and all have potential pitfalls.

The current format would result in countries playing each other over a four-year cycle, with the highest-placed teams competing for the championship in a one-off match.

Such a qualification process, however, means an inevitable change in strength of teams given the length of time involved.

For example, no one would quibble with the fact England and Australia were the two best Test teams during the epic 2005 Ashes summer but neither could be classed in that bracket now.

A shorter qualification period would theoretically provide a better reflection on current form, but that would be problematic for leading nations such as England, in terms of revenue.

If the championship cycle was shortened, it would run the risk of money-spinning series against Australia, South Africa and India being shortened to accommodate matches against lesser draws such as Bangladesh, New Zealand and West Indies.

While there is global concern for the state of the Test game, it is still thriving in England, where a day's play against top-class opposition is seldom watched by anything other than a full house.