Two-division Test cricket on agenda with ICC to consider WTC expansion
The GuardianSunday, July 20, 2025 at 3:32:50 PM
The ICC is considering a major shake-up in Test cricket by introducing a two-division system, each with six teams—a first in the sport’s 133-year history. England has also been locked in to host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals. This idea is being explored by a new working group under the ICC’s fresh leadership, signaling a potential shift in how the longest format of the game is structured.
Editor’s Note: Test cricket has long struggled with uneven competition and dwindling interest outside traditional strongholds. A two-tier system could make matches more competitive and give smaller teams a clearer path to growth—but it might also widen the gap between top and emerging nations. For fans, this could mean more meaningful games, but the devil’s in the details: how promotion/relegation works and whether boards will buy in will determine if this actually revives the format or just adds bureaucracy.
— Curated via WP Now’s
