ICC is set to start a nine- team Test league and a 13-team ODI league in 2019 and 2020 respectively, aiming to bring "context and meaning to bilateral cricket".

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- The Test series league will have nine teams. 

- The nine teams will play six series - three home and three away - over two years with each having a minimum of two Tests and a maximum of five.

- All matches will be played over five days culminating in a World Test League Championship Final.

- The ODI league will be a direct qualification pathway towards the World Cup and will be contested by the 12 full members plus the winners of the current ICC World Cricket League Championship.

- In the first edition of the league, each side will play four home and four away series each comprising of three ODIs moving to all teams playing each other from the second cycle onwards.

- The main intention behind the introduction of the leagues is that brings more meaning to every match. 

- According to ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar, This means fans around the world can enjoy international cricket knowing every game counts and in the case of the ODI league, it counts towards qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup.

"I would like to congratulate our Members on reaching this agreement and putting the interests of the development of the game first. Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but this is the first time a genuine solution has been agreed on," Manohar said in a statement after the governing body's meeting.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson added: "The ICC Board decision today means we can now go and finalise a playing schedule for the first edition as well as the points system, hosting arrangements and competition terms."

- The ICC Board also approved a trial of four-day Tests to run through until the World Cup 2019. Members will be able to schedule four-day games by bilateral agreement and a set of standardised playing conditions will now be finalised.- Namibia have been confirmed as the host of the World Cricket League Division 2 in February 2018 whilst the Netherlands have been approved as the host of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier 2018.

- The ICC also said that the Cricket World Cup Qualifier will be held in Zimbabwe in March 2018.

(With PTI Inputs)