England and India are the only two countries standing in the way of a planned world Test championship. Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council, has told the Guardian that the survival of Test cricket will be best ensured by a world championship, but that the two countries are opposed to the proposals which he believes could be implemented by the summer of 2012.

Acknowledging that there have been legitimate concerns about the future of the Test game, with Twenty20 cricket having had such an impact over the last year, Lorgat said: "I would like to convince people that the way to ensure Test cricket survives is through a championship model.

"The only two countries who do not see the argument are India and England, but debate is growing all the time. The MCC seem to have come out in favour but when I met the ECB recently it was the wrong time to tackle them in detail. They were too high on the Ashes."

Asked why the ECB has resisted his proposals, Lorgat said: "I don't understand their thinking. The original plan was to have a four-year cycle for the championship, which protects icon series like the Ashes. It was very doable. Our Future Tours Programme will meet soon as the current schedule runs to May 2012.

"I would really like to see the Test championship included from there on. There's no doubt a Test championship would be of great benefit. Let's say you and your mate are South African and Australian – and India are about to play Sri Lanka. If the result impacts on your team's championship standing you are bound to be more interested."

But an ECB spokesman said last night: "The ECB will continue to look at all the proposals put forward by the ICC and continue to play a full part in discussions about the development of their global events."

It is understood that officials at Lord's – like those in other countries – were put off by the initial idea to spread the world championship over a four-year period, when the strength of the competing teams would vary enormously. But the ECB are also worried about plans to start the championship in 2012 because it would clash with the London Olympics.