ICC ready to back WTC four-day Tests in boost for smaller nations

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"ICC Considers Four-Day Tests for Future World Test Championship Cycles"

ICC ready to back WTC four-day Tests in boost for smaller nations analysis cover image The Guardian 8.9
Image Source: https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e0a7a157af7bebe6108260538a8a61506e85689b/454_112_3450_2760/master/3450.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=0841fb43e1831194803beddf87db1042
Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/16/icc-four-day-tests-world-test-championship-cricket
View Raw Article Source (External Link)
Raw Article Publish Date:
AI Analysis Average Score: 8.9
These scores (0-10 scale) are generated by Truthlens AI's analysis, assessing the article's objectivity, accuracy, and transparency. Higher scores indicate better alignment with journalistic standards. Hover over chart points for metric details.

TruthLens AI Summary

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is poised to introduce four-day Test matches into the World Test Championship (WTC) format to assist smaller cricketing nations in participating in more matches and longer series. Currently, the ICC only allows five-day Tests in the ongoing WTC cycle, which has resulted in a number of truncated series. Out of the 27 Test series scheduled among the nine countries competing in the 2025-27 WTC, a significant majority—19 series—will consist of just two matches. In contrast, only five series will feature three matches, while traditional rivals England, Australia, and India will engage in one five-match Test series against each other. The upcoming WTC cycle begins with a two-Test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, underscoring the current limitations on Test match formats under ICC regulations.

During recent discussions held at the WTC final at Lord’s, ICC Chief Executive Jay Shah expressed strong support for the implementation of four-day Tests, aiming for their sanctioning in the 2027-29 WTC cycle. This potential change could mark a significant departure from the traditional five-day format, allowing for longer series that are more accommodating for smaller cricketing nations, which often struggle with the logistics and costs associated with hosting Test matches. The introduction of four-day Tests would permit an entire three-Test series to be completed in under three weeks, with extended playing hours to ensure a minimum of 98 overs are bowled each day. This adjustment comes in light of the current challenges faced by teams like South Africa, whose sparse itinerary has drawn attention to the need for a structural change in how Test cricket is organized. With Temba Bavuma’s squad set to travel to India for a two-Test series in November without a home Test until October 2026, the urgency for reform in the Test format is increasingly apparent.

TruthLens AI Analysis

You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.

Log In to Generate Analysis

Not a member yet? Register for free.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/16/icc-four-day-tests-world-test-championship-cricket

TheInternational Cricket Councilis ready to sanction four-day Tests in the World Test Championship to help smaller nations to play more games and longer series.

In the next WTC cycle, which begins with Sri Lanka hosting Bangladesh in a two-Test series on Tuesday, only five-day Tests are permitted by the ICC which has led to an emphasis on truncated series.

Of the 27 Test series to be played among the nine countries contesting the 2025-27 WTC, 19 will feature just two matches, there will be five three-match series and England, Australia and India will all play one five-match Test series against each other.

During discussions last week at the WTC final at Lord’s, the ICC chief executive, Jay Shah, is understood to have expressed his support for four-day Tests, with a view to sanctioning them in time for the 2027-29 WTC cycle. England, Australia and India would still be permitted to schedule five-Test series for the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the first iteration of which begins with the first Test between England and India at Headingley on Friday.

The ICC first sanctioned four-day Tests for bilateral contests in 2017, with England playing Zimbabwe over four days at Trent Bridge last month after four-day Tests against Ireland in 2019 and 2023, although introducing them for the WTC would be a significant change and could lead to longer series.

Many smaller nations are reluctant to host Tests due to the time they take out of the schedule and the cost, but a move to four-day cricket would enable an entire three-Test series to be played in less than three weeks. In four-day Tests the playing hours are extended to mandate a minimum of 98 overs per day rather than 90 overs to mitigate the time lost.

South Africa’s threadbare itinerary despite being crowned world champions in thethrilling final against Australiaat Lord’s last week has further highlighted the issue, and focused minds on the need for change.

Sign up toThe Spin

Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week’s action

after newsletter promotion

Temba Bavuma’s squad travels to India for a two-Test series in November, but will not play a Test at home until October 2026.

Back to Home
Source: The Guardian