The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reviewing proposals to make the World Test Championship (WTC) more competitive and engaging, including the possibility of expanding it into a 12-team league.
A working group, headed by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, has been formed to assess the future structure of the WTC and the broader international cricket calendar. The group presented its recommendations during ICC’s quarterly meeting in Dubai earlier this month, though final decisions are not expected before March 2026.
Currently, nine teams compete in a single-league format, playing at least 12 matches across six series, with rankings determined by win percentage. England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Richard Thompson previously admitted that the current system is not functioning as intended, calling for a fairer and more competitive structure.
The long-discussed idea of splitting the WTC into two divisions has reportedly been rejected. Concerns included the financial impact on smaller teams if relegated, and the potential disruption to popular and lucrative series involving major cricketing nations like England, Australia, and India. These nations rely heavily on broadcasting revenue from such marquee series.
Instead, the ICC is exploring a 12-team league format that would include the current nine teams along with Ireland, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe, creating a comprehensive global league. The requirement for each team to play at least 12 Test matches over a two-year cycle would remain, but series lengths would be flexible, ranging from a single match to a maximum of five.
The World Test Championship is currently in its fourth cycle, and these proposed changes aim to broaden participation, maintain financial stability for top teams, and enhance global competitiveness in Test cricket.
