The ICC will reassess the WTC format and consider one-Test series proposals for the next cycle, starting 2027-29.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to reconsider the World Test Championship (WTC) format for the 2027-29 cycle, with a working group led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Twose suggesting significant changes. The WTC working group has proposed expanding the championship to include the remaining three Full Members Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan. This move would bring the total number of teams participating in the WTC to 12, allowing these countries to compete in the championship and potentially earn points in one-Test series. The current WTC format features nine Full Members, with each team scheduling three home and three away series over a two-year period. The proposed changes aim to provide more opportunities for these teams to participate in the WTC, which has been in its fourth cycle since its inception.
The existing structure has been successful in attracting top teams, but the inclusion of Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan could inject new energy into the championship. However, the addition of more teams may also create logistical challenges and potentially dilute the competition. The ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP) is set to end in March, with the WTC final scheduled for June 2027 in England.
The ICC is expected to ratify the new structure for the 2027-29 cycle, but a final decision may not be made until the ICC's quarterly meeting in Ahmedabad. The meeting is scheduled to take place in May, after being rescheduled from Doha due to the West Asia crisis. The ICC's quarterly meeting will be a crucial moment in determining the future of the WTC.
The outcome of the meeting will have significant implications for teams like Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan, as well as the WTC's overall format and competitiveness. While the working group's recommendations are a significant step forward, the ICC will need to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of expanding the championship and introducing one-Test series.