England's hopes of hosting an inaugural World Test Championship in 2013 appear to be in serious doubt.

After an International Cricket Council executive board meeting in Dubai - at which the global body's decision review policy was also significantly amended - it seems the originally scheduled Champions Trophy is a much more likely fixture in the 2013 summer.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has been an enthusiastic advocate of the introduction of a Test championship, between the top four teams in the table, and major venues in England were primed to host the semi-finals.

The intention then was to stage a final at Lord's, the home of cricket.

But it seems reluctance on the part of broadcasters, wary of being able to maximise the event commercially or at any rate better than the 50-over Champions Trophy, may scupper the plans.

Lorgat said: "It would be unfortunate if the Test Championship is delayed to 2017, but the board needs to balance several objectives."

An ICC statement, following this morning's press conference, explained the apparent snag. "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."