World Test Championship for Test cricket was almost sounded over the last decade, as the imprint of limited-over formats like ODIs drained the game’s glory. But the ICC’s decision to give more prominence to the format is an important step in its revival. The move is expected to enhance competitiveness, encourage cricket development globally, and increase viewership and engagement.

But it will also make the sport more accessible, especially to smaller and financially constrained full members, who can now slot in one-match series in tours otherwise dominated by white-ball contests. It will also push big teams to engage with associates – and hopefully revive the legendary red-ball rivalry that once defined Test cricket.

How WTC Revived Test Cricket

The ICC’s proposal for the next WTC cycle – to start in 2027 – is a significant turnaround from the two-tier model previously mooted. That plan, championed by a working group chaired by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose, was discarded because it failed to find sufficient support among the ICC’s full members. It was criticised by nations that could potentially be placed in division two, which feared the loss of marquee matches against the ‘Big Three’ and financial concerns about a potential revenue sharing model.

Instead, the ICC plans to expand the WTC to include 12 full-members in a single division for the first time. This would include Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe, a significant step for the three emerging countries that have struggled to compete with bigger boards for marquee fixtures.