ICC plans WTC expansion, eyes revival of ODI Super League
What's the story
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to expand the World Test Championship (WTC) to include 12 teams from 2027. This comes after the proposal of the two-tier system failed to gain widespread support. According to ESPNcricinfo, a working group led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose had been looking into issues related to cricket's three formats and submitted its recommendations during a meeting in Dubai.
System hurdles
Two-tier system rejected due to financial concerns
The two-tier system, which has been discussed for over a decade, was mulled again when the working group was formed at the ICC annual conference in July. However, doubts over a possible funding model and concerns about relegation's financial impact led to its rejection. Countries likely to be in Division 2, such as West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, opposed this idea. It was mainly due to the potential lack of playing opportunities against bigger nations.
Expansion plans
Minimum number of Tests for each team
The working group has now proposed a WTC comprising 12 teams. Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland could be part of the expanded league, starting July 2027. The teams would have to play a minimum number of Tests during this cycle. "It guarantees that everyone is playing Test cricket," an ICC board director told ESPNcricinfo. "Those that really want to play the format now have opportunities, and there is an incentive for other teams to play them."
Format revival
Revival of ODI Super League under consideration
The ICC is also considering reviving the ODI Super League, which was scrapped after the 2023 World Cup. The 13-team league was introduced in July 2020 to provide more context to the dwindling 50-over format. However, it was scrapped due to an increasingly cramped calendar. There are no plans yet to expand team numbers for 50-over World Cups or T20 World Cups, despite some administrators pushing for gradual increases.