New Delhi: In a move that can play a significant role in rejuvenating Test cricket by allowing smaller nations to play more Test matches and conduct longer series, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to sanction 4-day matches in the longest format. The ICC is planning to introduce 4-day Test matches for the smaller nations, beginning the 2027-29 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
However, the ‘Big 3’ – India, Australia and England- will continue to play the traditional five-day Test matches. Discussions around reducing the duration of Test matches from 5 days to 4 days for smaller teams took place on the sidelines of the WTC 2023-25 final between South Africa and Australia at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, where ICC president Jay Shah was in attendance.
As per a report in The Guardian, during the discussions, Shah is understood to have expressed his support for four-day Test matches, with the view of scheduling them in time for the WTC 2027-29 cycle. However, India, Australia and England will continue to play each other in a five-match series in the traditional five-day Test matches.
As per the report, the move to conduct 4-day Test matches will allow smaller nations, who don’t play a lot of Tests due to the cost involved and scheduling issues, to include more matches in their calendar. The four-day matches will allow a three-match series to be completed in less than three weeks.
While the idea of four-day Test matches is a lucrative one, considering ICC’s push over the years to preserve Test cricket, it remains to be seen when and how effectively it can be implemented. It will also be interesting to see how the ICC will classify the ‘smaller teams’ and if all teams involved will agree on the idea of having two different durations of matches for different sets of teams.
WTC 2025-27 to be played in 5-day format
The World Test Championship 2025-27, which got underway on Tuesday, with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in a two-match series at home, will have matches in the traditional five-day format. The WTC 2025-27 will consist of a total of 27 Test series, out of which 17 will be two-match affairs, while six will be three-match contests. There will be only 4 series of more than four Tests in the ongoing cycle.
India will begin their WTC 2025-27 campaign with a five-match Test series in England, which is set to get underway on Friday, June 20. Shubman Gill will be leading a relatively young Indian squad against Ben Stokes & Co. in the series.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly ready to to sanction four-day Test matches for smaller nations, begining the 2027-29 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. However, India, Australia and England will continue playing the traditional five-day matches. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
