ICC approves Test and ODI league Championship

As per the proposed Test Championship, which will be put in place after the 2019 World Cup, the top nine teams will play a total of six series each - three at home and three away. The teams will have to play a minimum of two Tests in a series, while they can expand it to five Tests as well. But in what has come as a major shock for the minnow nations, the Championship won't include Zimbabwe, and two latest entrants in the block - Afghanistan and Ireland.

"The ICC Board decision today means we can now go and finalise a playing schedule for the first edition as well as the points system, hosting arrangements and competition terms."

"I would like to congratulate our members on reaching this agreement and putting the interests of the development of the game first," he said. "Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but this is the first time a genuine solution has been agreed on. This means fans around the world can enjoy international cricket knowing every game counts and in the case of the ODI league, it counts towards qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup."