ICC likely to expand World Test Championship to 12 teams from next cycle

Cricket’s top officials are set to discuss a key change to the World Test Championship (WTC), with the idea of allowing one-off Tests in the next cycle, while also expanding the tournament to 12 teams from the next cycle. 

As per an ESPNcricinfo report, an ICC working group led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Twose will present its recommendations to the board later this month or in early May. The group has been working on improving the game’s structure, especially with growing scheduling issues due to three formats and the rise of franchise leagues.

Earlier, the panel had suggested a two-division WTC format, but it did not get support from several Full Member nations. Now, the focus has shifted to expanding the current format to 12 teams, with Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland likely to be included.

Despite being Full Members, these three teams were not part of the WTC when it started in 2019. While they do play Test cricket, they haven’t had many chances against the top teams. To solve this, the working group has suggested allowing one-off Tests to count towards WTC points.

At present, a WTC series must have at least two Tests, which can be financially difficult for some boards, especially when hosting smaller teams. Allowing one-off matches could make it easier for bigger teams to host them. For example, Zimbabwe could play a one-off Test against teams touring South Africa, while England could add a single Test during a long home series.

Right now, the nine WTC teams schedule their matches through bilateral agreements, playing three home and three away series over a two-year cycle. The new proposal aims to make the system more flexible and inclusive.

However, there are still a few concerns. The ICC will need to decide if one-off Tests fit well within the WTC format and whether it is financially practical for teams like Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland to play more Test cricket.

Meanwhile, the ICC is also planning to reschedule its postponed board meeting, which was earlier set to take place in Doha, Qatar, but was delayed due to the West Asia crisis. The new dates and venue are yet to be confirmed.