Plans for a new Test cricket league have taken a step forward after the International Cricket Council's (ICC) chief executives' committee (CEC) backed the proposals.

It is hoped the introduction of the league format within the Future Tours Programme (FTP) will provide 'context' for all Test matches, with results deciding the four teams that qualify for a Test play-off every four years. The new league format is among the CEC's key recommendations that will go before the ICC board, as well as a One Day International league within the FTP and a 10-team format for the World Cup from 2015.

Other proposals include a move towards a 16-team format for the men's World Twenty20 from 2012 and the introduction of a Twenty20 rankings table "as soon as this is justifiable". ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "Restructuring international cricket is a significant strategic challenge and one that must be dealt with. I am grateful to the CEC and its working group for making such far-reaching proposals to tackle this important issue.

"The holistic set of proposals, especially introducing more meaningful context, means we now have the potential to follow international cricket that is even more exciting."