The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to reject the proposed two-tier system of a World Test Championship (WTC) and instead expand the competition to 12 teams from the next cycle.
According to ESPNcricinfo, these decisions would be taken after a group led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose provided recommendations to the ICC board and Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) during last week’s quarterly meetings in Dubai. The group was tasked with addressing pressing issues in the sport.
The talks of a two-tier system, with only India, Australia, and England in the first one, originated from Cricket Australia (CA) and picked up steam over the past year. It was heavily criticised by some former cricketers and pundits, especially
those belonging to the so-called second-tier countries, because this system would have seen more matches between the ‘Big Three’ and fewer against the smaller boards, more in need of money.
The report said the talks collapsed after the ICC couldn’t agree on a funding model. The attempts of the Big Three to support the second-tier teams couldn’t go forward either. Moreover, while the second-division teams were worried they wouldn’t get to play with the first-tier ones unless they were promoted, the latter were concerned about relegation and the impact of not playing the other two in the Big Three.
Now, instead of the top-nine teams, all 12 teams will play the WTC starting from the 2027-2029 cycle. This means Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe will make their WTC debuts in 2027.
The ICC will also provide no extra funding for hosting the Tests, and each team will be required to feature in a minimum number of games to promote more matches with the lower-ranked sides.
“It guarantees that everyone is playing Test cricket,” the report quoted a board director as saying. “Those that really want to play the format now have opportunities and there is an incentive for other teams to play them.”
ODI Super League to be revived?
Meanwhile, the report added that the ODI Super League could return soon. A 13-team league, it was like the WTC, but with the top eight qualifying for the World Cup and the remaining five being pushed to the World Cup qualifier. It was scrapped after 2023 owing to scheduling concerns.
In another big development, associate members have proposed a revamp of the T20 World Cup qualification system, suggesting a global qualifier similar to the Olympic model. The event would determine final berths and include both Associate and non-qualifying Full Member nations, creating a new revenue stream and addressing concerns from Asian boards about limited regional opportunities.
The ICC has also clarified that the emerging 90-minute T10 format will not gain official status, as per the report. These proposals are set to be discussed at ICC meetings early next year.
