The International Cricket Council (ICC) is increasingly likely to retain the World Test Championship (WTC) as a nine-team competition for the 2027–29 cycle, threatening plans to bring all 12 Full Members into the tournament, according to a report by Cricinfo‘s Tristan Lavalette and Firdose Moonda.
The proposed expansion is a major point of discussion at the ICC’s ongoing Board meetings in Bali, which began on November 11 and are scheduled to conclude on November 15. Although no final decision has been confirmed, the prospect of a 12-team championship has weakened, while a possible ten-team format involving Zimbabwe remains under consideration.
The debate comes as cricket’s governing body examines broader questions about the international calendar, the financial sustainability of different formats and the future structure of its own administration.
England’s opposition adds pressure to expansion plans
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is against expanding the WTC to all 12 Full Members because of the additional overseas commitments that participation would require. More international travel could reduce the period available for England to stage home fixtures.
That concern has complicated a proposal which had gained momentum over the past year. The ICC had previously considered a two-tier championship, but attention subsequently shifted towards accommodating every Full Member within a single division.
England is nevertheless open to playing standalone Tests against Zimbabwe and Ireland outside the WTC. The ECB does not favour similar fixtures against Afghanistan because of the Taliban government’s treatment of women and girls.
For the ICC, the disagreement highlights the difficulty of creating a more inclusive championship while accommodating the scheduling priorities of established Test-playing nations.
McKinsey review could reshape the international calendar
The WTC debate is unfolding alongside a wider examination of international cricket’s future.
A strategic review completed by global consultancy McKinsey is expected to be presented to the ICC Board, covering the respective roles of Test cricket, One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals.
The position of ODI cricket is a particular area of interest. One possibility under consideration would see fewer 50-over internationals during the earlier stages of the next scheduling cycle, with greater emphasis on ODI fixtures in 2030 and 2031 ahead of the 2031 World Cup.
The review also raises questions about how widely international opportunities should be distributed. Twenty countries currently hold men’s ODI status, including eight Associate Members. Some Associates are concerned about a potential reduction in the number of eligible teams, although such a move appears unlikely given the commercial importance of the ODI World Cup.
A separate proposal to extend ODI status to 32 countries has also been discussed, but is considered unlikely to progress.
Beyond scheduling, the review may examine alternative sources of income as the ICC considers ways to reduce its reliance on broadcasting revenue. The distribution of ICC income among member boards is another issue attracting attention ahead of the next cycle.
ICC governance reforms move onto the board agenda
Changes to the ICC’s administrative structure are also being considered in Bali.
The Governance Review Committee, established at the governing body’s annual conference earlier this year, is expected to present its initial recommendations. The committee is chaired by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official Devajit Saikia.
Its work follows longstanding discussions about constitutional reform, including proposals to change the ICC’s membership structure and increase independent representation on its Board.
Among the ideas previously considered is replacing the existing membership tiers with a single category. The committee’s initial findings will form part of the latest discussions, rather than representing an already agreed constitutional overhaul.
Afghan refugee women’s cricket programme takes another step
Another item before the ICC Board concerns the development of cricket opportunities for Afghan refugee women.
A dedicated task force was reconstituted at the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh to develop a pathway for an Afghan refugee women’s team. Its remit includes establishing training opportunities and competitive fixtures, with potential qualification pathways being considered for 2030.
The task force is expected to present its proposed next steps during the Bali meetings.
Zimbabwe’s Test ambitions depend on the next cycle
While the ICC considers its wider strategic direction, Zimbabwe faces an immediate question about its place in the WTC.
Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan are the three Full Members currently outside the nine-team championship. If the existing format is retained, all three would remain excluded unless the ICC adopts the alternative proposal to add Zimbabwe as a tenth participant.
Zimbabwe has been particularly eager to join the competition. Its Test schedule has varied considerably, with ten matches played in 2025 compared with just two in 2026.
Ireland faces a different challenge, with financial pressures raising questions about the extent of its future Test commitments.
For Zimbabwe, bilateral tours could provide additional fixtures even without WTC membership. England is expected to visit in 2028, potentially for at least one Test, in what would be its first bilateral tour of Zimbabwe since 2004.
South Africa is scheduled to play a Test in Zimbabwe in 2027. Australia is also expected to tour during the next cycle, although the inclusion of Test cricket has not been established. Australia and Zimbabwe last played a Test against each other in 2003.
West Indies explores North American opportunities
The next international calendar could also support Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) efforts to develop a stronger presence in North America.
CWI is considering white-ball international fixtures in Washington DC and Toronto. The initiative sits alongside its commercial relationship with Cricket Canada and efforts to strengthen ties with Major League Cricket franchise Washington Freedom.
Washington Freedom has begun construction of a 10,000-capacity cricket stadium in Frederick, approximately 45 miles north of Washington DC. No confirmed arrangement has been established linking the stadium directly to CWI’s proposed international fixtures.
West Indies is also expected to continue playing relatively short Test series during the next scheduling cycle.
Future Tours Programme discussions continue in Bali
These potential bilateral arrangements form part of the ICC’s work on the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2027–31.
Most of the major commitments between member boards have already been agreed, with remaining discussions taking place alongside the Bali meetings. The new programme is expected to be presented as the current scheduling cycle approaches its conclusion in March.
The ICC Board’s remaining meetings, scheduled through November 15, will therefore bring together decisions and proposals affecting the WTC’s membership, the international fixture calendar, cricket’s financial model and the governing body’s future administration.
For Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan, the immediate question remains whether the next World Test Championship will offer a route into the competition or preserve the existing nine-team structure.
