ICC Plans Four-Day Tests In 2027-29 WTC Cycle; India, England, Australia Retain Five-Day Format: Report

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly preparing to introduce four-day Test matches for smaller cricketing nations during the 2027-2029 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. However, traditional five-day Tests will remain in place for marquee contests involving India, Australia, and England.

According to a report published by The Guardian, discussions during the recent WTC final at Lord's revealed that ICC Chairperson Jay Shah voiced support for the introduction of four-day Tests.

The objective behind this move is to reduce logistical challenges and costs associated with hosting long-format games, especially for lower-ranked and financially constrained boards.

While this shift would not affect iconic series such as the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, or the newly launched Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy-set to begin with the opening Test between England and India at Headingley on Friday-it marks a significant strategic shift in how Test cricket could be structured for developing cricketing nations.

The ICC initially approved the concept of four-day Test matches in 2017 for bilateral arrangements. England, notably, have already hosted shorter Tests, including against Ireland in 2019 and 2023, and more recently versus Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

The proposed structure would see each day of play extended slightly, with a requirement to bowl 98 overs per day, instead of the current 90, to help counterbalance the shorter match duration.

One key motivation for this proposal is to provide smaller nations with a more feasible opportunity to schedule and complete multi-Test series. The cost-effectiveness and time-saving benefits of four-day matches could make it more attractive for these boards, enabling a three-Test series to conclude in under three weeks.

The issue has gained further traction following South Africa's minimal Test schedule despite their recent WTC final triumph against Australia, which has amplified concerns about the imbalance in the longer format.

However, the upcoming 2025-27 WTC cycle will stick with the existing five-day Test framework. It kicks off with a two-Test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Of the 27 scheduled Test series in this cycle, 17 will be two-match contests, with six three-match series. Only England, Australia, and India will contest five-match Test series against one another.