The International Criket Council (ICC) is ready to sanction four-day tests for smaller nations in the World Championship in the 2027-29 World Championships, but according to the report, traditional five-day matches of India, Australia and England can play.
This step to reduce matches by one day would be a significant change and could help smaller nations play more tests and longer series.
“During the last week’s discussion in the WTC final in Lord’s, chairman of ICC, Jay Shah, he expressed his support for four-day tests, with the aim of sanctioning them in time for the 2027-29 cycle,” said The Guardian newspaper.
“England, Australia and India would still be allowed to plan a five-test series of five-day matches for Ashes, Trophy Border-Gavascar and newly named Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, whose first iteration begins the first test between England and India on Headingley.”
The ICC first approved four -day tests for bilateral competitions in 2017. England played Zimbabwe for four days on Trent Bridge last month after four days against Ireland in 2019 and 2023.
According to the report: “Many smaller nations are reluctant to host tests due to the time it excludes from the schedule and cost, but moves to a four -day cricket would allow a number of three tests in less than three weeks.”
“In the four -day tests, the game clocks are extended to order at least 98 exceeding a day exceeding 90 exceeds to alleviate the lost time,” he said.
“The South African Itinerary Fiber, although crowned the world champions in the thrilling final against Australia in Lord last week, further emphasized this problem and focused the mind on the need for change,” he added.
However, the 2025-27 World Championship will continue in the current format of five-day matches.
It starts with Sri Lanka is hosted by Bangladesh on Tuesday in a series of two tests.
Of the 27 test series to be played among nine countries competitors in the 2025-27 cycle, 17 will contain only two matches, while there will be six series of three matches.
England, Australia and India will play a series of five tests against the other.
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
June 17, 2025
