The World Test Championship (WTC) is ICC’s attempt to keep the longest format of the game in good health and it will be underway with England taking on Australia in Ashes 2019 on August 1 at Edgbaston.

According to England director of cricket Ashley Giles, WTC will lead to a change in England's priorities following their World Cup triumph. “We've had a focus on the white ball for the last four years and perhaps the time has come to redress that balance. It was important that the pendulum didn't swing back to 50-50, it had to swing right back to white-ball cricket, which we'd never done in this country,” Giles told Sky Sports News.

When asked about the new Test Championship, the 46-year-old said, “I'm a fan. Test cricket has obviously been marginalized in some parts of the world with the pressure of the shorter forms and the popularity of white-ball cricket.”

“This country doesn't really struggle with that. Test cricket remains popular and the Ashes is sold out this year. England versus Australia doesn't need any more promotion but around the world, it's not that easy,” he added.

Steve Waugh who is currently with the Australian team as a team mentor, lead one of the most successful team in Test history winning 41 out of 57 matches between 1999 and 2004.

“It is great for Test match cricket. I played a lot over 18 years and many people said we were the number one Test side in the world. But unless you hold up a trophy or get to that final match you're not really sure. I think Test cricket really needs this. You need something to hang your hat on if you are the best Test team in the world,” said the 54-year-old former Australia captain.

(With AFP inputs)