The next edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) final will take place in 2027 and it will feature 12 full member nations. Earlier, there were plans to split the championship into two tiers, but that idea did not receive enough backing. Instead, all 12 Test-playing nations will now compete in a single group. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, an ODI Super League will also be reintroduced.
Decision Finalised at ICC Board Meeting
The decision was made during the ICC Board meeting held last week in Dubai. A committee led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Towse presented recommendations on the structure of the three formats of international cricket. The two-tier Test model had been under discussion for nearly a decade, but it was this working group, formed during the ICC Annual Conference in July, that ultimately settled the matter.
India, England, and Australia Not in Support of Funding
The two-tier system was close to approval, but issues arose over funding. It was initially proposed that India, England, and Australia would jointly finance the new model. However, the discussions did not progress as planned. Teams such as the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan opposed the system, arguing that it would further reduce their opportunities to play against top nations.
Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland are Included
From the next cycle, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland will also take part in the World Test Championship. Each team will be required to play a minimum number of Test matches, although the exact figure has not yet been decided. The Working Group put forward this proposal, but there will be no additional funding for hosting matches which is a concern for smaller boards like Ireland.
“This ensures that every full member nation gets to play Test cricket. Players who truly value the format will now have the chance to represent their country, and smaller teams will gain experience and exposure,” a board director told ESPNcricinfo.
ODI Super League Set for a Comeback
In One-Day cricket, the ODI Super League, which was stopped after the 2023 World Cup, is likely to make a comeback. The league, launched in July 2020 with 13 teams, was introduced to revive interest in the 50-over format. However, it was discontinued due to a packed cricket calendar, which especially hurt smaller and associate nations. The structure and number of teams for the new league are yet to be decided, and it is expected to start no earlier than 2028.
No Expansion in World Cup Teams
There are no plans to increase the number of teams in the 50-over World Cup. The 2027 edition will feature 14 teams, compared to 10 in the previous two tournaments. The T20 World Cup will continue with 20 teams, though some ICC officials have suggested expanding it to 32 teams in the future. However, that change will not happen anytime soon.
New Qualification System for T20 World Cup
Associate nations have proposed a new qualification format for the T20 World Cup, similar to the Olympic model. Under this system, associate teams and full member sides that do not qualify directly through rankings can compete in a global qualifier for the remaining spots. This will also bring financial support to associate nations, particularly those in Asia, and could be introduced from the 2028 T20 World Cup.
T10 Format Not Officially Recognised
Although T10 leagues are growing around the world, the ICC has decided that the 90-minute T10 format will not be recognised as an official international format.