The WTC will see change in format from the next cycle
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Three new teams will join the WTC
- Plans for a two-tier system have been scrapped
- The ODI Super League could return
While it was heavily speculated that Test cricket could see a radical change with the 12 teams divided into two groups of six with a promotion and relegation system in the World Test Championship (WTC), that will no longer be the case, and instead of the number of teams being reduced, the competition will be expanded.
As per a report by ESPN Cricinfo, there will be 12 teams going forward in the WTC, and that will be the case from as soon as the next cycle, which will run from 2027 to 2019. This means that Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan will join the mega event, meaning that all 12 Test-playing nations are part of the tournament. For those unversed, the first four editions of the WTC have seen nine teams (South Africa, Australia, India, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and West Indies) with no structure for them to drop down or for the remaining three teams to enter.
It has been revealed that a working group led by ex-New Zealand batter Roger Twose gave their recommendation to the International Cricket Council (ICC) board and chief executive board during the world cricket governing body’s meeting in Dubai last week.
It has also been reported that teams will need to play a minimum number of tests in a WTC cycle
For a long time, a two-tier system was suggested and considered a realistic possibility in order to see more competitive matches between the best teams. However, that idea did not find backers in the ICC’s annual conference in July. It has been revealed in the report that countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, which would be part of the second division, were not in favour of the idea as it would mean they do not get to play big teams.
It is worth noting that, as per the current rankings, India would have been in tier 1 and Pakistan in tier 2, which certainly would have meant the arch-rivals would have been separated in the table unless either Pakistan got a promotion or India got relegated. Although, it is worth noting that India and Pakistan have never played each other in the WTC but the chance of the two countries playing the final still stands. Infact, the two countries last played a Test match in 2007.
Another problem seems to be the prospect of relegations, which made the big three of Australia, England, and India concerned over the chance of financial ramifications in the case of them dropping down to the second tier.
ODI Super League Back On Table
The same report claims the ODI Super League could return after being scrapped post its first edition in 2023. The 13-team competition served as the qualification criteria for the 2023 World Cup, but was not retained. It could return after the 2027 World Cup as the qualification benchmark for the 2031 World Cup.