The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to resume discussions regarding the future format and overall structure of the World Test Championship (WTC). The governing body will review proposals for the red-ball competition during its upcoming administrative meetings scheduled for next week.
The ICC chief executives committee will hold a virtual meeting on May 21. Following that session, the ICC Board will conduct an in-person meeting in Ahmedabad on May 30 and 31. The current World Test Championship cycle will conclude with the final match at Lord's Cricket Ground in England in June 2027.
ICC Annual meeting (Image credit: X)
A working group led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Twose was formed last year to review the future structure of the WTC. The panel studied the current format and prepared recommendations for possible changes. The group later submitted its report to the ICC for further discussions.
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, pne of the major proposals is expanding the World Test Championship from nine teams to 12 teams.
If approved, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan would join the competition alongside the current Full Members. The ICC believes expansion could increase the global relevance and competitiveness of Test cricket.
ICC to Discuss One-Test Series Proposal for Future World Test Championship Cycles
The working group also reviewed the scheduling difficulties cricket boards face while arranging long bilateral Test tours. To create space for Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan in the calendar, the committee discussed changes to the current series structure and points system used in the WTC.
The other proposal is allowing a one-Test series to carry official World Test Championship points. Under the current rules, participating teams must play a minimum two-Test series as part of their WTC commitments. Each team is also required to schedule three home series and three away series during the two-year cycle.
ICC Shifts Key Meetings to Ahmedabad as Pakistan Participation Remains Unclear
The upcoming ICC meetings are part of the governing body’s regular quarterly schedule. However, officials changed the original planning and venue for these meetings after regional geopolitical developments made the earlier arrangements difficult to continue.
The meetings were originally scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, between March and April, but were later shifted to Ahmedabad. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s mode of participation remains unclear.
Under normal circumstances, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi would attend in person, but the current political tensions between India and Pakistan have created uncertainty over his travel plans.
The current Future Tours Programme will end next March. The FTP includes bilateral series between member boards, although the ICC must approve the final structure. Officials expect to make progress on the proposed WTC changes during the May meetings without immediately finalizing the new format.
The ICC is expected to take further regulatory decisions during its annual general meeting in Edinburgh in July. The meeting will begin after the Women’s T20 World Cup in England, which is scheduled to take place from June 12 to July 5.
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