The first Test Championship, expected to take place in England in 2013, will not now be played before 2017.
The tournament was set to replace the Champions Trophy, a one day competition that was last held in 2009.
"I am disappointed it is not going to take place sooner," said International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat.
Lorgat added that the proposed 2017 Championship, also scheduled to be held in England, would be "the first opportunity" to resurrect the tournament.
The delay comes because of a lack of "support and consent" from the ICC's broadcast partner.
The Test Championship, due to involve the top four teams in the ICC rankings, had been planned as a way of reviving international interest in the test matches.
England currently lead the rankings, with South Africa second, India third and Australia in fourth.
ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY?
• A secondary 50 over ICC tournament designed to raise money for associate nations.
• First staged as the ICC Knock-Out, won by South Africa (1998) & New Zealand (2000).
• The Champions Trophy gained a new name and format in 2002 but was shared by India and Sri Lanka after a rain interrupted final.
• Won by West Indies in 2004 and Australia in 2006 & 2009.
• Has been hosted by Bangladesh, Kenya, Sri Lanka, England, India and South Africa.
England was originally awarded the 2013 Champions Trophy, which would have made way in the international cricket calendar for the Test Championship.
Lord's was set to be the venue for the final of Test Championship, but after missing out on welcoming the touring New Zealand team for a five day game, the ground may only host one Test in 2013.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) described the announcement as "a setback for Test cricket".
MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said: "The club's priority, given there will be a gap in the calendar in 2013, will be to secure the best possible major matches it can for Lord's to supplement the Australia Test and the New Zealand ODIs being played that year."
