ECB would support world Test championship 'in principle'

The ECB say they would support the introduction of a world Test championship, despite claims that England were one of two countries blocking the original plans.
Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), had said that England and India were opposing the idea but the ECB have denied this, saying they would be supportive of the venture "in principle".
"We are fully engaged with the ICC over proposals for a world Test championship and are supportive in principle," an ECB spokesman said.
It is though the ECB had initial reservations that the championship could be spread over four years, when the form of the teams could vary, and were worried about a potential clash with the 2012 London Olympics.
The current idea would result in countries playing each other in a group stage with the highest-placed teams competing for the championship in a one-off final.
"I would like to convince people that the way to ensure Test cricket survives is through a championship model," Lorgat said. "The only two countries who do not see the argument are India and England, but debate is growing all the time.
"The MCC seem to have come out in favour but when I met the ECB recently it was the wrong time to tackle them in detail. They were too high on the Ashes.
"I don't understand their thinking. The original plan was to have a four-year cycle for the championship, which protects icon series like the Ashes. It was very doable. Our Future Tours Programme will meet soon as the current schedule runs to May 2012. I would really like to see the Test championship included from there on."

Source:The times