Test championship delayed

Keep up to date with all that's new around the world - read match reports and more from every international played

Haroon Lorgat said: "I am disappointed it is not going to take place sooner but it is a reality of the commitments we have already got."

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has confirmed that England will not host the Test championship in 2013 as planned, as the event has been delayed by at least four years.

The newly-establish tournament, between the top-four ranked Test teams, had been pencilled into the international calendar. However, Lorgat revealed today it has been delayed until 2017 at the earliest.

"I am afraid that [the Test championship] is no longer going to happen in 2013," Lorgat said. "At the last board meeting we decided the first opportunity to play the Test championship is 2017.

"I am disappointed it is not going to take place sooner but it is a reality of the commitments we have already got through to 2015."

Lorgat has been an enthusiastic advocate of the introduction of a Test championship and the ECB was set to stage semi-finals, and a final at Lord's.

After a board meeting last month the governing body admitted that the tournament was not 100 per cent certain to take place.

After last month’s meeting, the ICC released a statement which read: “It would be unfortunate if the Test championship is delayed to 2017, but the board needs to balance several objectives.

“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.”

Keep tabs on the England team - click here for all the breaking news from the camp, exclusive interviews, match reports and much more