ICC set to introduce four-day Tests in 2027–29 WTC cycle

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly planning to introduce four-day Test matches for lower-ranked teams during the 2027–29 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, while five-day matches will continue for high-profile series involving top teams like India, Australia, and England.

According to reports, the ICC wants to give smaller nations more chances to play longer series. The move is being considered as a solution to scheduling problems, with concerns that the current five-day format restricts the number of Tests that can be played.

In the upcoming 2025–27 WTC cycle, 19 out of 27 series include only two Tests, reflecting how tough it is to schedule longer series. The idea of four-day Tests was reportedly discussed during the recent WTC final at Lord’s, where ICC Chair Jay Shah showed support for the change.

"During discussions last week at the WTC final at Lord's, the ICC Chair, Jay Shah, is understood to have expressed his support for four-day Tests, with a view to sanctioning them in time for the 2027–29 WTC cycle," a report in The Guardian newspaper stated.

However, the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the newly introduced Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will remain five-day contests. The first match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, between England and India, is scheduled to begin at Headingley on Friday.

The ICC had earlier approved four-day Tests in 2017 for bilateral series. England have already played a few of these, including matches against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge and against Ireland in 2019 and 2023.

Many smaller nations are reportedly hesitant to host Test matches because of the time and money they demand. But under the new plan, a three-Test series could be completed in under three weeks, making it more affordable and easier to manage. To make up for the shorter format, four-day Tests would require a minimum of 98 overs per day, compared to the usual 90 in five-day games.

South Africa’s limited Test schedule — despite their recent WTC final win over Australia at Lord’s — has brought further attention to the issue and the need for reform.

Only a few series in the next WTC cycles will have more than two Tests. Five-match series are expected only in three major contests: the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England (2025), the Ashes in Australia (2025–26), and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India (2027).

The introduction of four-day Tests could benefit teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, who often struggle to schedule longer series due to financial and logistical challenges. For example, Sri Lanka is set to play just four Test matches in all of 2025, while South Africa will not host a Boxing Day Test this year.

The ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle officially begins on June 17 with Sri Lanka facing Bangladesh in the opening Test in Galle.