The move to finalise such a championship comes at a vital juncture in cricket's history. Supposed "competition" between countries on the rankings table had largely become irrelevant, apart from any new No 1 receiving a mace and a bonus payment for their efforts.
Two key examples of the current system's apathy arose in the past three months. On October 30 three tests - Bangladesh versus England, Sri Lanka versus Zimbabwe and West Indies versus Pakistan - were played simultaneously with no impact other than ranking points and the honour of a series win. The same occurred on November 26, when New Zealand met Pakistan, India met England and Australia met South Africa.
In a sporting world driven by competitions and leagues offering contextual relevance, test cricket continued to saunter along its own quaint plane. A catalyst to the reform process has been the momentum gathered by Twenty20 leagues around the world, notably Australia's Big Bash League, whose crowds dwarfed those seen at the Australia-Pakistan tests over the holiday period.
Last year, ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said the earliest the concept could be implemented was 2019 when broadcasting deals are renewed. That's despite the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations claiming 72 per cent of players were in favour.
Increased player migration from the test arena to the T20 merry-go-round makes a decision inevitable sooner rather than later.
New Zealand Cricket will be represented at the meetings by board chairman Greg Barclay and chief executive David White.
