The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering the possibility of allowing four-day Test matches in the upcoming 2027–29 World Test Championship cycle. This move is intended to make it easier for smaller cricketing nations to host and participate in longer series, which are often limited due to financial and logistical challenges.
Currently, the new WTC cycle that just began includes 27 Test series, with 17 of them scheduled as two-match affairs. Only six series will feature three matches and the major teams like India, England and Australia will continue playing the longer five-match series amongst themselves.
According to a report, the ICC Chairman Jay Shah is supportive of introducing four-day Tests in bilateral series. One of the main reasons behind this proposal is the high cost and time commitment involved in organising traditional five-day games, which often deters smaller cricket boards from scheduling Test matches.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews recently expressed his concern about the diminishing opportunities for countries like his in the longest format. He shared his disappointment that Sri Lanka is set to play only four Tests in 2025. Angelo Mathews stressed that Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the sport and said that young players are eager to play more matches in this format. He insisted that a team like Sri Lanka, with its history of winning World Cups and making significant contributions to cricket, should be playing just as many Tests as the top three nations.
He also urged the global cricketing community to aim for a minimum of 10 Tests per year for all nations, pointing out that India, England and Australia often play over 15 Tests annually.
The ICC first experimented with four-day Tests in 2017 when South Africa hosted Zimbabwe. Since then, England has played two such Tests against Ireland in 2019 and 2023 and has also hosted Zimbabwe recently. The idea of shortening Tests remains a debated topic but for many, it could be a practical step toward making the format more inclusive.
What is your take on this matter? Do let us know.
