ICC explores major revamp of cricket calendar; World Club Championship, shorter ODIs among key proposals

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering a significant overhaul of the international cricket calendar, with discussions ranging from the introduction of a World Club T20 Championship to shortening One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and creating dedicated windows for each format.

As reported by The Guardian, the proposals are set to be discussed by representatives of the 12 Full Member nations during the ICC's Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh. The governing body has also roped in global consulting firm McKinsey to conduct a strategic review aimed at safeguarding the future of international cricket amid the rapid rise of franchise leagues across the world.

The discussions are understood to be in the early stages, with the ICC encouraging member boards to explore bold ideas that could ensure the long-term sustainability of Test cricket, ODIs, and T20Is.

As things stand, the ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP) is locked in until 2027, while marquee events such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, ICC Men's and Women's T20 World Cups, and the World Test Championship (WTC), along with major bilateral series involving India, England, and Australia, are scheduled until 2031. As a result, any major structural changes are unlikely to be implemented before then.

Rather than focusing solely on the World Test Championship, the ICC is now believed to be working towards a broader framework that allows all three international formats to coexist successfully in an increasingly crowded cricket calendar.

One of the most notable proposals under discussion is the possibility of reducing the duration of ODIs. In addition, the ICC is also exploring dedicated windows for each format. Under one such model, ODI cricket could primarily be played during the 18 months leading up to an ICC Cricket World Cup, while the rest of the calendar would be divided between Tests and T20Is.

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The move is aimed at giving each format greater relevance while also reducing scheduling conflicts with franchise cricket. Although there are currently no plans to increase the number of ICC global tournaments in the existing four-year cycle, discussions have included staging more multilateral competitions.

Among the ideas being explored are continental championships similar to the Asia Cup, with the possibility of introducing regional tournaments in other parts of the world. Another proposal involves launching a World Club Championship featuring leading T20 franchise teams from various domestic leagues.

While the discussions remain at a preliminary stage, the ICC's latest strategic review signals its intent to reshape the global cricket calendar and find a balance between international cricket and the T20 leagues.