DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The International Cricket Council (ICC) has abandoned plans to introduce a two-tier World Test Championship (WTC), opting instead for an expanded single-division format that will include all 12 full-member nations in the next cycle beginning in July 2027.
The decision came after the proposal failed to garner broad support during the ICC’s quarterly board and Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meetings held in Dubai last week.
According to reports from ESPNcricinfo, the two-tier structure — long viewed as a way to create competitive balance in Test cricket — ultimately collapsed under the weight of financial and logistical concerns.
Two-tier vision falters amid opposition
The concept, which has resurfaced repeatedly for over a decade, was again under consideration following recommendations from a working group chaired by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose. The panel was tasked with examining pressing issues affecting cricket’s three international formats.
Under the shelved plan, the WTC would have been split into two divisions, with promotion and relegation between them. However, doubts about how such a structure would be financed — particularly the feasibility of a revenue-sharing model — proved fatal.
It had been suggested that India, England, and Australia might provide financial support to lower-ranked nations competing in Division Two, but those discussions stalled.
Further resistance came from teams such as West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, which feared being relegated to a second tier and losing lucrative series against the sport’s powerhouses.
“A lack of consensus on both competitive balance and financial sustainability effectively ended the debate,” an ICC source familiar with the discussions said.
Unified WTC set for expansion
In place of the divisional model, the ICC is now expected to expand the World Test Championship to include Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland, bringing the total to 12 competing teams. Each nation will be required to play a minimum number of Tests within the cycle, though the exact figure has yet to be confirmed.
Despite the expansion, there are no plans for additional funding to support Test cricket, a concern for emerging members such as Ireland, which have faced financial strain in hosting long-format matches.
The next WTC cycle will commence in mid-2027, following the conclusion of the ongoing 2025–2027 edition.
ODI Super League set for revival
In a separate development, the ICC is also preparing to revive the One-Day International Super League, which had been discontinued after the 2023 World Cup.
Originally launched in July 2020, the 13-team competition was designed to rejuvenate interest in the 50-over format by providing a structured qualification path to World Cups. However, it was discontinued amid calendar congestion and waning global enthusiasm for ODIs.
The league’s return is expected to form part of the ICC’s broader strategy to restore balance among cricket’s three international formats, ensuring each retains relevance in an increasingly franchise-driven landscape.
A balancing act for the future
The ICC’s decision underscores the complexity of safeguarding Test cricket’s future while accommodating the commercial realities of the modern game. While the two-tier proposal promised merit-based competition, its demise highlights the deep financial and scheduling disparities that continue to divide the cricketing world.
The expanded World Test Championship now represents cricket’s latest attempt to preserve the prestige of the longest format — uniting all full members under one umbrella, even as questions of sustainability linger.
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