ICC, MCC to discuss prospects for a Test 'world cup'

London, Aug 5 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) would meet with the MCC's world cricket committee in November to discuss prospects for a world Test championship to safeguard the future of the five-day game.

Both parties would look at suggestions to enhance the status of Test cricket amid fears that it is losing its primacy to the 50-over and the popular 20-over formats.

"Test match cricket must fight back to ensure it survives around the world. All of the player surveys conducted in recent years say Test cricket is under threat, which is something we simply can't ignore," The Telegraph quoted Tony Lewis, the chairman of the MCC's world cricket committee, as saying.

"By the time of our meeting in November, we hope to have more evidence that Test match cricket is under threat and to have conducted research into the issue," he added.

Though the Ashes series has established that Test cricket is still popular with the masses and can still attract crowds to the ground, Lewis added that measures should be taken to ensure this format of the game survives.

"We must protect Test cricket, but we have to rebrand, market and merchandise it properly so it can survive," said Lewis.

According to reports, the MCC is in favour of an eight-nation competition in which teams play a best-of-three-match series, with top-ranked sides progressing to the semi-finals and a final to be staged at Lord's. (ANI)