ICC Plans Four-Day Tests for WTC Smaller Nations

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to introduce four-day Test matches for smaller cricketing nations in the 2027-29 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, while India, Australia, and England will continue to play five-day Tests for marquee series. The move, discussed during the recent WTC final at Lord's and supported by ICC Chair Jay Shah, is designed to help smaller nations play more Tests and longer series by reducing costs and easing scheduling. The current 2025-27 WTC cycle will retain the five-day format, with 27 series scheduled, most consisting of only two Tests due to limited time. Four-day Tests will require a minimum of 98 overs per day, compared to 90 in five-day matches. While the ICC had previously sanctioned four-day Tests for bilateral series, this marks the first time the format could be widely utilized in the WTC. The initiative aims to make Test cricket more accessible and sustainable for emerging teams.