The International Cricket Council is moving closer toward one of the biggest structural changes in modern Test cricket, with discussions around an expanded 12-team World Test Championship expected to intensify ahead of July’s ICC Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh. According to an exclusive report by Cricket Financial Journal’s Tristan Lavalette, ICC board meetings in Ahmedabad are set to further shape proposals that would significantly broaden participation in the competition from the 2027-29 cycle onward.
While a final decision is not expected immediately, the direction of travel inside the ICC has increasingly shifted toward expansion after earlier attempts to divide Test cricket into two tiers failed to secure enough support across the membership. The current expectation within governance circles is that the World Test Championship will expand from nine to 12 teams, although several operational details remain unresolved.
ICC shifts away from divisive two-tier structure
The latest developments represent a significant shift from the ICC’s earlier attempts to reorganise Test cricket through a two-division structure. That proposal faced strong resistance from multiple Full Member boards concerned about reduced access to high-profile bilateral cricket and the long-term marginalisation of smaller Test nations.
As previously reported by cricexec, the ICC had explored separating teams into two divisions before widespread opposition pushed administrators toward an alternative expansion-based model. Concerns over relegation, scheduling inequality and commercial concentration ultimately weakened support for the idea despite backing from some influential figures within the game.
Attention has since moved toward creating a broader single-division championship structure that would preserve competitive relevance while expanding participation opportunities across the Test landscape.
Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe set for inclusion
The proposed expansion would bring Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe into the World Test Championship from the next cycle beginning in July 2027, increasing the competition to all 12 Full Members.
As reported previously by cricexec, a working group chaired by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose has spent months examining possible structural reforms after the collapse of the two-tier proposal. Discussions have included the possibility of standalone Tests carrying World Test Championship points as administrators search for scheduling flexibility within an increasingly congested global calendar.
Questions still remain around how many Tests each nation would be required to play under an expanded structure and whether competitive balance can realistically be maintained when schedules vary significantly between wealthier and smaller boards.
The possibility of introducing minimum Test obligations has also emerged as part of those discussions, alongside mechanisms designed to encourage leading nations to schedule more fixtures against lower-ranked sides.
Scheduling pressures remain central challenge
Although momentum toward expansion has grown, logistical concerns continue to complicate the process. The international calendar is already heavily compressed by franchise leagues, bilateral commitments and ICC events, leaving uncertainty around how a larger World Test Championship would operate without further straining player workloads and scheduling windows.
One-off Test matches have reportedly been discussed internally as a possible solution that could help integrate smaller nations more regularly into the WTC structure without requiring lengthy bilateral series.
The ICC’s Board of Directors is expected to continue discussing those issues during meetings in Ahmedabad after earlier governance sessions scheduled for Doha were postponed because of the conflict in the Gulf region.
ODI Super League revival also under discussion
Alongside discussions around Test cricket’s future structure, ICC administrators are also continuing conversations around the possible return of the ODI Super League as part of wider attempts to strengthen the relevance of bilateral 50-over cricket.
As previously reported by cricexec, ICC officials have been evaluating broader structural reforms across formats, including scheduling frameworks and qualification systems connected to future global events.
The next phase of meetings is now expected to play a major role in determining whether the ICC can balance commercial realities, competitive integrity and broader inclusivity as it attempts to redefine the future structure of international cricket.
