Cricbeat

The introduction of a World Test championship could see the return of the timeless Test for the first time in more than 70 years according to Harron Logart, the International Cricket Council's chief executive.

Ahead of the 2000th Test, at Lord's between England and India, Haroon Lorgat suggested the historical format, which places no time constraints on players and allows for an open-ended match, was under consideration to ensure a planned Test 'final' finishes with a positive result.

The ICC has cleared a space in England in 2013 for a four-team play-off between the highest-ranked sides in the world and discussions are under way about how best to structure the contest.

A number of options are being considered, with one being a timeless Test, not seen since England played South Africa in Durban in 1939 when, ironically, the match finished in a draw when England had to leave with the game unfinished after 10 days in order to make their boat back to the UK.

"For some time we have been working on a world Test championship," said Lorgat. "It is common knowledge that we hope in 2013 the top four teams will be involved in two semi-finals and a final to determine a world Test champion.

"The committee is currently working on it but it is not a good idea to end up with a drawn Test match. Whether [drawn games]are decided on a first-innings basis or on runs scored in the game we don't know but they will come up with a viable formula to determine a winner. The final may be a timeless Test. At this stage we don't know but we are looking into the mechanics."