Martin Crowe's idea of creating a test championship with teams fighting for the right to play in a lucrative grand final appears to be gaining traction with the ICC.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland believes world cricket is close to adopting a points based system for all test matches.

Crowe says the ICC may have finally realised change is necessary for the future success of test cricket. He says they've been hammering that home for years, and he truly believes this concept is what test cricket needs.

Under the proposal, the teams with the most points would play off in a grand final match or series at a neutral venue.