England captain Nasser Hussain has welcomed the launch of a world championship of Test cricket.

The ICC today unveiled the championship which will involve all ten Test-playing nations playing each other home and away over a five-year period.

The championship will start with England's series against Pakistan in May. The initial standings will be based on results over the last five years, meaning that Australia will start at the top.

The new league will end the debate over which of the current unofficial tables best represents the form of Test teams.

England skipper Hussain said: "We're obviously very pleased about it - it's a shame it didn't start a year ago because we'd be right up there.

"Since we started this run going, the boys have been keeping an eye on the tables to see where we are and if we are moving up and who's ahead of us. Even I look at other sides above us and hope they lose, so it's a good idea.

"There are so many unofficial tables at the moment that to just have one consistent world championship and know exactly where you are will be good."

England's biennial home and away Ashes series against Australia, West Indies and South Africa will remain. All the series must involve at least two matches, though individual cricket boards will still determine the length of each series.

© CricInfo Ltd.