ICC Plans 4-Day Test Matches from New WTC Cycle
ICC mulls 4-day Tests for smaller nations in WTC 2027–29; India, England, Australia to retain 5-day format tradition
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering a major change in the traditional format of Test cricket. According to recent reports, the ICC is open to allowing four-day Test matches for smaller cricketing nations starting from the 2027–29 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
However, the top teams — India, England, and Australia — will continue to play the longer five-day format among themselves.
Big Three to Retain 5-Day Tradition
As per The Guardian, discussions around this change were held during the WTC 2025 final at Lord’s. ICC Chairman Jay Shah is said to be in support of the four-day idea, especially to help smaller boards manage scheduling and costs more effectively.
Despite this proposed change, traditional and iconic rivalries like The Ashes, The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the newly renamed Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (between India and England) are expected to remain five-day, five-match series.
Why the Change?
Many smaller cricket boards have been reluctant to host long Test series due to the cost and time involved. Hosting a five-day match often takes a toll on budgets and reduces opportunities to fit more games within a given time frame.
By moving to four-day Tests, boards could schedule a three-match series in less than three weeks. The ICC is also planning to increase the minimum number of overs per day from 90 to 98 to make up for the shortened duration.
“In four-day Tests, the playing hours are extended to mandate a minimum of 98 overs per day rather than 90 overs to mitigate the time lost,” the report stated.
South Africa and New Zealand Among the Concerned
Despite having a strong red-ball history, nations like South Africa and New Zealand have shown reluctance to commit to more Test cricket due to limited schedules and financial strain. South Africa’s thin fixture list, even after winning the WTC 2025 final against Australia, has raised questions about the sustainability of the current format for all nations.
The ICC’s potential shift is seen as a step towards protecting the future of Test cricket among smaller teams, while still preserving its heritage among the traditional powerhouses.
This change, if approved, could reshape the future of the longest format with more matches, tighter schedules, and wider participation, all without compromising the top-tier rivalries.
