World Test Championship set for major overhaul with two-tier format ahead of India tour of England
Published - 02 Feb 2025, 04:40 PM | Updated - 02 Feb 2025, 04:49 PM
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a major overhaul of the World Test Championship (WTC) model before its fourth cycle. The current format will be discontinued, and a two-tier system will be introduced after the WTC 2025 final match between Australia and South Africa.
The next cycle of the World Test Championship will begin with a five-match Test series between England and India in July 2025. The current World Test Championship structure has faced criticism from both players and pundits, with concerns over its lack of uniformity and fairness to all teams.
World Test Championship Set for Major Overhaul Ahead of Next Cycle
According to a report by Telegraph Sport, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman, Richard Thompson, who also leads the International Cricket Council's strategic growth committee, is spearheading efforts to revamp the World Test Championship format.
Thompson is collaborating with ICC chairman Jay Shah to introduce a new format before the next cycle starts. The two recently held talks in Dubai to address the issues with the current system and create a "fairer competition."
"It is fully understood that the current structure does not work in the way it should and we need to find a fairer, better competition, but at this stage no recommendations have been put forward,” Thompson told Telegraph Sport.
“We have five months to work on this, step back and look at what the structure should be going forward. The World Test Championship should be fairer and more competitive. It is going to change to ensure it always encourages the best teams to reach the final and encourages other nations that want to play Test cricket, to play Test cricket. We will protect, grow and ensure the integrity of Test cricket because the format is crucial to the DNA of the game," he added.
India, Australia, and England Are the Only Teams to Play More Than 15 Tests
In the current World Test Championship cycle, only India, Australia, and England have played more than 15 Tests. South Africa, who are finalists, played only 12 matches, with all their six series being two-match affairs.
This inconsistency has been criticized, as teams do not face every other country. Political reasons have kept India and Pakistan from playing each other. It’s worth mentioning that South Africa advanced to the WTC final without facing Australia, though they will meet in the June title match at Lord's.
Four-Day Tests for Series Excluding 'Big Three' Under Consideration
The ICC is exploring the possibility of introducing four-day Tests for series that do not involve the 'Big Three' (India, Australia, and England). This change is being considered due to the difficulty of scheduling in a cricket calendar that is already filled with international white-ball events and franchise cricket.
Many Tests these days finish early, making it feasible to shorten the format and still ensure quality cricket. The goal is to allow teams to play more Tests by squeezing in an additional match, ensuring at least a three-match series. However, this proposal would not apply to major series involving the 'Big Three'.
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ICC World Test Championship International Cricket Council (ICC) India National Cricket Team Jay Shah
