ICC Mulling Four-Day Tests in WTC to Support Smaller Nations

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is exploring the idea of incorporating four-day Test matches into the World Test Championship (WTC) from the 2027-29 cycle onwards. According to The Guardian, this potential shift is being considered to encourage broader participation and ease financial burdens for smaller cricketing nations.

Currently, the 2025-27 WTC cycle exclusively features five-day Tests, which has resulted in many series being shorter than ideal. Out of 27 scheduled Test series among the nine participating nations in this cycle, a significant 17 are limited to just two Tests. Only six series will extend to three matches, with the prestigious five-match series reserved for cricketing powerhouses India, Australia, and England.

It's understood that during recent informal discussions at the WTC Final at Lord’s, ICC Chair Jay Shah expressed his support for officially integrating four-day matches into the WTC. The hope is that this will make Test cricket more attainable for lower-ranked boards, allowing them to play longer series without unduly stretching the cricket calendar.

Four-day Tests first received approval for a bilateral series back in 2017 and have been used on a limited basis since then. This format, which features extended daily play of at least 98 overs, as against the usual 90, could potentially allow for a full three-match series to be completed within a three-week timeframe.

Even after their thrilling victory over Australia to become World Test Champions, Temba Bavuma’s team will only play two Tests against India this November. Furthermore, they aren't slated to host a Test match on home soil until October 2026.