ICC eyes One-off Test matches as part of WTC revamp strategy

Published - 25 Nov 2025, 22:08 IST | Updated - 25 Nov 2025, 22:22 IST

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly moving closer to a major revamp of the World Test Championship (WTC), with one-off Test matches set to become a crucial feature of the next cycle. As the governing body looks for ways to renew the longest format, the proposal is expected to bring more nations into the Test setup while addressing long-standing challenges around scheduling, financial disparities, and fair competition.

The WTC, now in its fourth cycle, has often been criticised for its structure, inconsistent fixtures, and a disparity in favouring stronger cricket boards. The current nine-team league, which requires each team to play a minimum of 12 Tests across six series, has struggled to encourage broader participation from smaller full-member nations.

To address these concerns, a working group led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose has been assessing how to revamp Test cricket. The group presented early research during the ICC’s quarterly meeting in Dubai, with the final decisions expected by March 2026.

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One of the proposals is the introduction of a one-match Test series as part of the WTC cycle beginning in 2027. The plan is to make Test cricket more accessible, especially for smaller or financially constrained boards, by allowing teams to slot single Tests into tours that are otherwise dominated by white-ball fixtures.

This change could prove beneficial for nations like Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan, which often miss out on multi-Test series due to cost and logistical issues. By allowing one-off games to count toward the WTC standings, the ICC hopes to push bigger teams to engage more frequently with smaller ones and revive traditional red-ball contests that have been limited in recent years.

While traditional five-match series, such as those involving England, Australia, and India, will continue, shorter series are expected to become far more common. Notably, teams touring England can conveniently add a Test against Ireland, while teams visiting South Africa can extend trips to Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, according to reports, the much-debated two-tier WTC structure is unlikely to take place. Despite years of discussion, the idea failed to gain traction due to concerns over financial losses and the risk of big teams being relegated.

Boards such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the West Indies firmly opposed the idea, fearing they would be pushed into a less lucrative second tier. Even top boards showed less support, with ECB chief Richard Thompson accepting the fear that England could one day slip into Tier 2. As a result, the ICC is now likely to expand the WTC to a 12-team league, officially including Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland. Every team would play at least 12 Tests across the two-year cycle.