The introduction of a world Test championship could see the return of the timeless Test, according to the ICC.
Lorgat disappointed at India's attitude to technology
The introduction of a world Test championship could see the return of the timeless Test for the first time in over 70 years, according to Haroon Lorgat.
The International Cricket Council's chief executive suggested the historical format, which places no time constraints on players and allows for an open-ended match, is under consideration to ensure a planned Test 'final' finishes with a positive result.
Lorgat was at Lord's as part of the build-up to Thursday's 2,000th Test match, between England and India.
The ICC have already cleared a space in the Future Tours Programme , in England in 2013, for a four-team play-off between the highest ranked sides in the world and discussions are under way about how best to structure the contest.
A number of options are being considered but the notion of a timeless Test, not seen since England played South Africa in Durban in 1939, is the most eye-catching.
Champion
"For some time we have been working on a world Test championship," said Lorgat.
"It is not the format that is the issue in Tests, it is the lack of context and with this, bilateral series would have a lot more meaning.
"It is common knowledge that we hope in 2013 the top four teams will be involved in two semi-finals and a final to determine a world Test champion.
"The committee is currently working on it but it is not a good idea to end up with a drawn Test match.
"Whether (drawn games) are decided on a first-innings basis or on runs scored in the game we don't know but they will come up with a viable formula to determine a winner.
"The final may be a timeless Test, at this stage we don't know but we are looking into the mechanics."
The speed at which the modern game is played means a repeat of that 1939 encounter, which had to be called as a draw after nine days' play because England's boat was due to sail, is highly unlikely, so Lorgat's suggestion may not even be necessary.
And while purists may see the removal of the draw as a crass piece of commercial expediency, Lorgat believes it would be acceptable in a one-off situation.
"Statistics tell us that most Test matches now produce a result inside five days, but it may yet be a timeless Test," he added.
"It is a work in progress but I would favour finding a winner because you want a world champion.".
