The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to abandon its controversial proposal for a two-tier World Test Championship (WTC) following significant resistance from member boards during its recent quarterly meeting in Dubai.
The much-debated model, which was reviewed by an assessment group led by Roger Twose, failed to gain the necessary backing. Instead, the ICC is now likely to favour a model that includes all 12 full members in the next WTC cycle, beginning in mid-2027.
Currently, nine teams compete in the WTC, excluding full members Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland.
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According to a source close to the development, several members were not convinced by the two-tier system. Resistance was particularly strong from boards like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Bangladesh, who could have been forced to start in the second division.
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This skepticism was shared by top boards, who feared the consequences of relegation. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief Richard Thompson had previously questioned the model, worrying that a “fallow period” could see a top team like England relegated, thus losing lucrative and crucial series against nations like India and Australia. The potential impact on both playing chances and revenue was deemed too high.
The favored alternative is a 12-team system, which proponents believe will give more teams the chance to compete against each other.
The ODI Super League Revival –
In another significant development, the ICC is also considering the revival of the ODI Super League. The concept, designed to add context to 50-over bilateral cricket, was scrapped after the 2023 World Cup
Despite its initial failure, many ICC members at the meeting felt the 50-over format is not near extinction but simply needs a proper structure to thrive. Citing the massive reaction and reach of ICC ODI events, the consensus is that the format still holds a vital place in the calendar.
Further discussions are expected on the specifics, such as the number of participating teams and creating proper windows to ensure the involvement of top players.