The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering significant changes to make Test cricket more inclusive and competitive in the next cycle of the World Test Championship.
According to sources, an ICC working group led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose is set to present fresh proposals to board chiefs in the near future.
The proposed plan includes expanding the World Test Championship to 12 teams, bringing in countries such as Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland.
Despite being full members, these three nations were not part of the championship since its launch in 2019 and have had limited opportunities to compete against top-tier teams.
Another key proposal under consideration is to allow a single Test match to be counted toward World Test Championship points.
The move is aimed at making it financially viable for major teams to host smaller nations, as the current format requires a minimum of two-match Test series, often discouraging such fixtures due to cost concerns.
Sources further indicate that the final decision will depend on whether including one-off Tests is deemed appropriate and whether participation in a two-year cycle would be financially sustainable for the newly added teams.
The proposed changes, if approved, could mark a significant shift in the structure of Test cricket, potentially enhancing competitiveness while offering greater opportunities to emerging cricketing nations.