(MENAFN- Kora) From 2018 the icc intercontinental cup - a tournament for non-test-playing nations - winners will face the lowest-ranked side in the longest format of the game in a four-match test series.
If the associate team is successful they will win test status - while the lowest-ranked side are not likely to lose theirs either.
The decision to introduce the icc test challenge was made at the world governing body's executive board meeting in dubai and offers the opportunity for the likes of the netherlands and ireland to force their way into the test arena.
An icc media release said: "the icc board approved the introduction of an icc test challenge which will take place every four years between the lowest ranked test team and the winner of the icc intercontinental cup.
"the proposal is that the 10th ranked side on the reliance icc test team rankings on 31 december 2017 or at the conclusion of any series in progress at that time will play two five-day matches at home and two five-day matches away against the winner of the upcoming icc intercontinental cup with the inaugural challenge scheduled to take place during 2018.
There are two icc intercontinental cup tournaments scheduled to take place in the next eight years the first of which runs between 2015 and 2017 while the second commences in 2019 and finishes in 2021.
Bangladesh and zimbabwe are currently the two lowest-ranked sides in test cricket while ireland were the winners of the last icc intercontinental cup.
Icc chief executive david richardson said: "the icc test challenge now opens the door for associate members to play test cricket.
"in doing so it gives even greater context to the icc intercontinental cup which will now be a pathway to test cricket."
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.