ICC Considers Four-Day Tests for Select Nations in Future WTC Cycles

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering the possibility of introducing four-day Test matches for lower-ranked cricket teams during the 2027–29 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Traditional five-day Tests would still be played by major teams like India, Australia, and England.

Reports indicate the ICC is exploring four-day Tests to give emerging nations more opportunities to engage in longer series, addressing concerns that the current five-day format restricts the number of Tests that can be accommodated.

Notably, in the upcoming 2025–27 WTC cycle, 19 of the 27 series will only have two Tests, which underscores these scheduling difficulties.

Discussions regarding this alteration reportedly occurred during the recent WTC final at Lord’s, where ICC Chair Jay Shah voiced his support for the proposed four-day structure.

However, prominent series such as the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the recently established Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which feature England, Australia, and India, will continue to utilize the five-day format.

A report detailed that Jay Shah showed his support for four-day Tests during discussions at the WTC final at Lord’s. The aim is to have them approved in time for the 2027-29 WTC cycle.

The report further clarified that England, Australia, and India would still have the option to schedule five-Test series consisting of five-day matches for key contests like the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which commences with the first Test between England and India.

The ICC initially gave the green light to four-day Tests for bilateral series back in 2017. Previously, England has participated in such matches, including one against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, as well as earlier matches against Ireland in both 2019 and 2023.

The report also highlighted that several smaller nations are reluctant to host Test matches because of the considerable time and financial commitments required. A transition to a four-day format could potentially allow a three-Test series to be completed in less than three weeks, thereby enhancing feasibility.

To compensate for the shortened match duration, four-day Tests would require longer playing hours, mandating a minimum of 98 overs per day as opposed to the standard 90.

South Africa’s limited Test schedule has further highlighted the need for change and increased focus on the issue.

Only a select few series in the upcoming WTC cycles will include more than two Tests. Five-match series will be limited to three major contests: the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England (2025), the Ashes in Australia (2025–26), and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India (2027).

The prospective four-day format stands to benefit nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, enabling them to include three-match Test series within their busy schedules.

Currently, Sri Lanka is scheduled to play only four Tests throughout 2025, while South Africa will not host a traditional Boxing Day Test this year.

The forthcoming WTC cycle is set to commence on Tuesday, June 17, featuring the opening Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka.