The International Cricket Council has introduced the World Test Championship, which will start with the series opener between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham on 1 August 2019.

Proteas captain Faf du Plessis, meanwhile, is looking forward to playing in the new World Test Championship against India later this year.

‘You feel like you want to play for something in Test cricket. Especially for the Proteas, there have been some really cracker series that have been played,’ said Du Plessis.

‘Now, every series matters over period of two years – with a final at Lord’s. It’s refreshing. We look forward to something new.

‘Any team will say that within a calendar year or so on the circuit, the toughest part of touring is probably playing in India. It’s a tough start to the Championship for us, but everyone is going to have to play in India eventually, so we might as well start there.

‘I think Test cricket is in a really, really healthy state. Guys who play all three formats will say that Test cricket is still the purest form and is still the No 1 format. Test cricket is still the ultimate.’

India and South Africa will contest three Tests – in Visakhapatnam, Ranchi and Pune – between 2 and 19 October.

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