Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the world's oldest and the most famous cricket club has said that Test cricket is on the verge of death in several countries where players ultimate goal lies in getting an IPL contract.

The committee has recommended a Test Championship, trial Day/Night Tests and the use of Pink balls to revive the longer formats fortunes.

The committee said, "Except for certain icon series, such as the Ashes, Test cricket throughout the world, and in particular the lower-ranked nations, is in very real danger of dying."

"MCC's research proved that attendances at Test cricket have declined in recent years. In addition, there is a growing ambivalence towards the longer format of the game from cricketers in certain nations, with player surveys revealing that an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract was the main career aspiration for many."

The panel also said the rate of success of the IPL has forced many players for a premature retirement from the longer version of the game.

"The committee is deeply concerned that the proliferation of lucrative domestic Twenty20 leagues, such as the Indian Premier League, will lead to the premature retirement of quality international cricketers.

"Those from the lower-ranked Test nations could be particularly susceptible to such a career choice, based on earnings alone." it added.

In such a situation, a World Test Championship would reinvigorate players, spectators and broadcasters for what is the pinnacle of the game, the committee said.