Who decides how many test matches there should be in a series?

Question

Is it the ICC, or a "gentleman's agreement" between nations?

To make the test and one day standings fair, should all nations play three match series. Or is that simply unworkable?

If any one can show me how this political stuff within the game is worked out, I'd be very grateful.

Answer 1

ICC and two parties

decides that!!1

Answer 2

i think that the ICC and the sponsor to the match ( eg:- npower , vodafone , 3mobile etc) decide it

Answer 3

The cricket board of the respective countries