The International Cricket Council's plans to hold the inaugural world Test championships in 2013 has come unstuck over the commercial viability of the event.
The ICC's executive board, which has been meeting in Dubai, failed to confirm if the championship will replace the originally scheduled Champions Trophy one-day tournament in England.
The ICC will discuss the financial implications of replacing a one-day event with a Test championship with its official broadcaster, ESPN Star Sports, before arriving at a decision.
In a statement the board confirmed its preference to host at test championship but recognised the commercial challenge in trying to replace the Champions Trophy.
The Test championship was planned as a knock-out competition between the top four teams at a yet undecided cut-off date, with the two semi-finals and the final being held in England.
England currently lead the rankings followed by South Africa, India and Australia.