The World Test Championship could see a major change in the coming years. The International Cricket Council is reportedly considering expanding the tournament to 12 teams. If the plan is approved, Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe may join the competition in the next cycle.
The proposal is being studied by a group led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose. The group is expected to present its recommendation to cricket officials in May.
Proposal to Expand the World Test Championship
The World Test Championship currently includes nine teams. The proposed expansion would increase the number of participating teams to 12.
Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe already have Test status as full members of the ICC, but they were not included when the WTC began in 2019. Although these teams have played Test matches in recent years, those games have not counted toward the championship standings.
If the proposal moves forward, these three nations could become regular participants in the WTC.
Possible Teams in an Expanded WTC
| Category | Teams |
|---|---|
| Current WTC Teams | India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies |
| Proposed New Teams | Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe |
Adding these teams would increase the number of Test matches and provide more opportunities for emerging cricket nations.
One-Off Test Matches Could Be Included
Another important change being discussed is allowing one-off Test matches to count toward the World Test Championship.
At present, a WTC series must include at least two Test matches. Under the new proposal, even a single Test could contribute to the championship points table.
This change would make it easier for teams to organize shorter tours or single-match contests.
For example, a major team traveling for a series might add a one-off Test against a smaller nation during the tour.
Earlier Proposal and New Approach
In 2025, Roger Twose was asked to review the structure of the championship and suggest improvements. His group studied how international cricket schedules are affected by multiple formats and the growing number of T20 leagues around the world.
One earlier suggestion was to divide the World Test Championship into two divisions. However, some ICC full member boards did not support that idea.
The current proposal focuses instead on expanding the competition while keeping the existing structure largely intact.
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How the New Schedule Could Work
Under the present system, each participating team plays six series in a two-year cycle.
Current WTC Series Structure
| Type of Series | Number |
|---|---|
| Home series | 3 |
| Away series | 3 |
| Total series in a cycle | 6 |
This structure could continue for the established teams even after expansion.
However, the new teams may play one-off Tests during larger tours instead of full series. This approach would allow them to participate without creating a heavy scheduling burden.
For instance, a team touring England might also play a single Test against Ireland during the same trip.
Benefits of the Proposed Changes
The ICC believes the expansion could bring several benefits to Test cricket.
Potential Advantages
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| More teams involved | Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe get regular opportunities in the WTC |
| Flexible scheduling | One-off Tests allow teams to plan shorter tours |
| Increased interest | More countries competing could attract wider fan attention |
| Financial support | One-off Tests could make hosting matches more affordable for smaller boards |
These changes aim to make the championship more inclusive while still maintaining competitive balance.
Timeline for the Decision
The working group led by Roger Twose is expected to present its recommendation in May.
If the ICC approves the plan, discussions will continue with member boards to finalize the format and schedule. The goal is to introduce the new 12-team structure in the next World Test Championship cycle.
For fans, the proposed expansion could bring more variety to Test cricket. Matches involving Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe may become regular parts of the championship.
Games that previously had little impact on global standings could now play a role in deciding the top teams in the world.
This could increase interest in Test cricket and provide more exciting contests across different countries.
