World Test cricket championship in doubt

England's hopes of hosting an inaugural World Test Championship in 2013 appear to be in serious doubt.

After an International Cricket Council executive board meeting in Dubai - at which the global body's decision review policy was also significantly amended - it seems the originally scheduled Champions Trophy is a much more likely fixture in the 2013 summer.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has been an enthusiastic advocate of the introduction of a Test championship, between the top four teams in the table, and major venues in England were primed to host the semi-finals.

The intention then was to stage a final at Lord's, the home of cricket.

But it seems reluctance on the part of broadcasters, wary of being able to maximise the event commercially or at any rate better than the 50-over Champions Trophy, may scupper the plans.

Lorgat said: "It would be unfortunate if the Test Championship is delayed to 2017, but the board needs to balance several objectives."

An ICC statement, following this morning's press conference, explained the apparent snag. "The ICC executive board confirmed their preference to host an ICC Test Championship in 2013 but recognised 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."

The ICC has also had to have a rethink on DRS, following a series of matches in which the effectiveness of Hotspot - the thermal imaging technology to detect edges off the bat - has come into question.

The upshot is that, rather than pressing ahead with a policy to try to make the mandatory use of DRS universal, the ICC is to leave it up to boards to decide between themselves before bi-lateral series the extent of technological aids made available to help the umpires.

The ICC statement said: "Following recent experiences and the resultant concern about the effectiveness of Hotspot, the ICC executive board decided to revert to its previous position to allow the participating nations to decide bi-laterally whether they wished to use the DRS.

"The ICC executive board, however, supported the use of technology and its continued development and were encouraged by certain members - who were willing to use and work towards improving the technology."

Lorgat said: "Although the DRS improves correct umpire decisions by around five per cent and corrects any blatant errors, there are some who are not convinced by its reliability.

"We will continue to work with interested parties to improve the system while permitting the participating teams to decide whether they wish to use it or not."

DRS - not in use, for example, for the forthcoming one-day international series between India and England - will be used in all ICC global events.

In other business, the process by which four associate and affiliate nations - such as Ireland and Scotland - can qualify for future World Cups has been ratified.

PA