The England and Wales Cricket Board says it has "no firm position" yet on playing four-day Tests in this country.
It has been reported that the idea of shortening Tests from five to four days has the support of the ECB, with the English game's governing body launching a new high-profile domestic Twenty20 tournament in 2020 which will ensure an increasingly packed summer from then on.
Cricket South Africa has publicised its plans to stage a shortened Test, starting on Boxing Day against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth, subject to International Cricket Council approval.
The ECB has already held this country's inaugural day-night Test this summer. The match against the West Indies at Edgbaston last month lasted only three days after the tourists lost 19 wickets in under three sessions.
Steps are being taken globally to try to retain Test cricket's relevance and popularity in a changing landscape since the arrival of the Twenty20 format in 2003.
Radical further change will be made only after careful consideration by the ECB, however.
In a statement, a spokesman said: "ECB has no firm position on the staging of four-day Test matches.
"We can see benefits that more compact scheduling might deliver but are sensitive to the potential effects of any change to the traditional format.
"Careful consideration is required to support the right decisions for the wider game, and on-field matters are key."
Further consultation will therefore take place before far-reaching decisions are made.
"We would welcome more insight on the effects for players and fans in order to help the game make a fully-informed decision on any proposal," added the ECB's spokesman.
"It is important that cricket is prepared to innovate in all formats of the game where it can help drive interest, accessibility or improvement.
"Above all, ECB is committed to a healthy and competitive future for Test match cricket, here and around the world."
Source: PA
