Daijiworld Media Network- London
London, Jun 17: In a significant shift that could reshape the future of Test cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly prepared to approve four-day Test matches for smaller cricketing nations during the 2027–29 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. However, powerhouses India, Australia, and England are likely to be exempted from this change and will continue playing five-day Tests, as per reports.
According to a report by The Guardian, the proposal was discussed during last week's WTC final at Lord’s. ICC Chairman Jay Shah is believed to have shown support for introducing the four-day format, especially for countries with limited resources and tight schedules.
The plan, if implemented, could pave the way for more bilateral Test matches and reduce the time and financial burden on smaller cricketing nations. “Many smaller nations are reluctant to host Tests due to their duration and the associated costs, but a shift to four-day Tests could allow for a three-match series to be completed in less than three weeks,” the report added.
Despite the proposed changes, India, England, and Australia will retain the right to host five-match series of five-day duration for high-profile rivalries such as the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the newly announced Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy—set to kick off with a Test at Headingley this Friday.
Four-day Tests are not new to the ICC framework. They were sanctioned for bilateral series back in 2017, and England recently hosted Zimbabwe in a four-day match at Trent Bridge. The ICC mandates that four-day Tests feature extended playing hours to ensure a minimum of 98 overs per day, compared to 90 in five-day Tests.
The report also pointed to South Africa’s sparse Test schedule, despite their recent championship win over Australia at Lord’s, as a reflection of the growing disparity and need for structural reform in Test cricket.
For now, the 2025–27 WTC cycle will continue in the traditional five-day format. It begins with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in a two-Test series starting Tuesday. Of the 27 scheduled series in this cycle, 17 will feature just two matches, while only six are set to include three matches.
Meanwhile, cricket's "Big Three"—India, England, and Australia—will each play a five-Test series against one another, underlining their continued dominance and commercial appeal in the longest format.