The shock decision, announced at a meeting here, means that the planned two-Test tour of the Caribbean, scheduled for April and May, will now not take place.

It is the second time in two years that Zimbabwe Cricket, split by ongoing claims of racism, corruption and player strikes, has been suspended from Tests.

A similar decision was taken in 2004 as results and performances on the field became increasingly humiliating.

"The interim board have decided to suspend Zimbabwe's participation in Test matches until early next year," ZC interim board chairman Peter Chingoka said in a statement.

"The decision to suspend participation in Test matches was reached by ZC after consideration of the recent performances by the national and A teams.

"The young teams remain full of potential and hopes abound for their development into a strong and competitive performer in the Test arena.

"ZC are now putting in place a programme to galvanise the development of the Zimbabwe squads. They will work with other Test nations and the ICC itself to realise this objective.

"While the side goes through the programme to prepare adequately for the rigours of Test cricket, ZC have no doubt the team will be competitive in their ODI commitments under the Future Tours Programme."

It had been expected that Wednesday's meeting would have named a new skipper for the team after the resignation, and retirememt from international cricket, of Tatenda Taibu with Andy Blignaut tipped a favourite to take over.

But the more dramatic decision to pull out of Tests until 2007 was taken instead and came just 11 days after 37 players called off a planned strike.

They gave the ZC's new interim board three weeks to find a solution to an impasse over a long running dispute over pay and conditions.

Players representative Clive Field had said that the first reaction of the players to the government of Robert Mugabe taking control of cricket administration was to quit the game altogether, find other jobs or take their skills to other countries.

But after discussions he said they decided to negotiate back pay, new contracts (which were due last September) and match fees due from home series against New Zealand and India.

The 37 players said in the past that they would not play for the country while chairman Peter Chingoka remained at the helm.