ICC working group led by Roger Twose proposes 12-team World Test Championship, with one-off Tests to improve scheduling and financial viability

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to consider a major overhaul of the World Test Championship (WTC), including the possibility of allowing one-off Test matches to count towards the points table in the next cycle. The proposal, led by a working group headed by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, aims to expand the competition to 12 teams and address long-standing scheduling and financial challenges in Test cricket.

The recommendation is expected to be presented to ICC board members at a meeting later this month or in early May. The move comes as cricket continues to balance the demands of three international formats alongside the rapid growth of franchise leagues worldwide.

A key aspect of the proposal is the inclusion of Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland in the WTC structure. Although all three are Full Members of the ICC, they were excluded from the championship when it was launched in 2019. Their participation has since been limited, with fewer opportunities to play against top-tier Test nations.

To make this expansion feasible, the working group is suggesting that one-off Tests be included in the WTC cycle. Currently, a minimum of two Tests is required for a series to be part of the championship. However, hosting shorter series has often been seen as financially unviable for larger cricket boards, especially when playing lower-ranked teams.

Allowing single-Test matches could make it easier for major teams to host smaller nations without significant financial strain. For example, teams touring South Africa could schedule a one-off Test against Zimbabwe en route. Similarly, countries like England could fit in standalone Tests during busy home seasons that already include longer marquee series.

The WTC currently operates on a bilateral system, where nine teams play six series (three home and three away) over a two-year cycle. Expanding this to 12 teams would require greater flexibility in scheduling—something the one-off Test model aims to address.

However, the ICC board will need to evaluate two critical factors before approving the changes: whether one-Test series should carry the same weight as longer series, and whether the expanded structure is financially sustainable for all participating nations over a full cycle.

The proposal follows an earlier suggestion by the same working group to introduce a two-division WTC format, which was ultimately rejected by several Full Members.

Meanwhile, the ICC is also working to reschedule its postponed board meeting, which was initially planned in Doha, Qatar but disrupted due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The governing body is now aiming to hold the meeting in person, although the final dates and venue are yet to be confirmed.