In what will be a first in Test history, the summer’s Ashes series between England and Australia could see the introduction of names and numbers printed on the back of players’ jerseys.

In its 142-year history, Test cricket has always been played in plain whites or creams but the ICC is considering changing that to make players more identifiable on the field of play.

According to a report by the Guardian, the move has been proposed to come into effect with the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston which begins on August 1. Players will likely be allowed to choose numbers ranging from one to 99 although the ICC board is yet to sign off on the final proposal.

The first Ashes Test will also mark the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship which will see the top nine sides in the world compete over a two-year period for the title of the best in the five-day format.

Although numbered jerseys have never been used in Test cricket before, they have been in effect in ODI cricket in Australia since the 1970s and were a common feature in Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket.

Numbered jerseys have been worn by all international teams in ODIs since the 1992 World Cup and have also been adopted in the County Championships since 2003.