The International Cricket Council (ICC) have agreed to more than double the prize money for the annual number one Test team from 2013 in order to boost Test cricket.

England currently top the rankings, but that position may come under threat before this year's cut-off date in April if they lose a third successive Test against Pakistan.

A press release from the ICC read: "A total of US$ 3.8million (£2.4million) in prize money will be shared among the top four sides on April 1 2013, 2014 and 2015 after the ICC board approved a proposal to substantially increase incentives in the form of prize money to promote Test match cricket in the period before the ICC Test Championship event in 2017."

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat added: "This worthy increase in prize money for the top four teams in the Reliance ICC Test Rankings can only be right.

"We are delighted at the growing interest and quality of Test match cricket and we must continue to promote the pinnacle form of the game before and beyond the Test Championship in 2017."

Previously, the number one Test team received US$175,000 (£110,000) but in future will receive a minimum of US$ 450,000 (£283,000) rising to US$ 500,000 (£315,000) in 2015.

It was also announced after the world governing body's two-day meeting in Dubai that the ICC will have a board chairman and president from 2014 onwards, splitting the role currently filled by the president alone.

A chairman will lead the board, while the president's function will become an ambassadorial one.

Lorgat told a press conference of the intended change following a meeting which also considered Lord Woolf's 60-page report into the organisation's governance.

However, there will be no decisions on the key recommendations of the independent governance review until at least the next board meeting in April.

Lorgat is happy with the progress made this week on the Woolf Report, but explained much more deliberation will be required before coming to the right decisions.

"This has to be the most important exercise that the ICC board will take responsibility for in seeking to grow the game for future generations," he said.

The intention, meanwhile, to split the position of president has ramifications - between now and 2014 - for the established method of accession to the post.

Today's press release read: "The board will also consider the position and role, if any, of the ICC vice-president between 2012 and 2014.

"Accordingly, the nomination received of Mustafa Kamal, the Bangladesh Cricket Board president, for the ICC vice-presidency from 2012-14 will be considered as a part of this process."

The ICC have another key role to fill soon too, with chief executive Lorgat due to leave his post in June, and it has been confirmed that the recruitment process is under way.