ICC set to introduce four-day Test matches? Check details

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering introducing four-day Test matches for lower-ranked or smaller cricketing nations as part of the 2027–29 World Test Championship cycle. This potential change aims to promote greater competitiveness and manage scheduling challenges while also helping emerging teams adapt to the rigours of Test cricket without being overwhelmed by the traditional five-day format. According to several reports, this proposal gained momentum during discussions held around the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s.

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Sources suggest that the idea received a positive response from several key stakeholders, including ICC President Greg Barclay, who is believed to have shown support for the move during internal meetings. The four-day Test format has been previously trialled in a few bilateral series but has not been formally adopted. If implemented, it could mark a significant shift in how Test cricket is structured for developing teams, potentially opening the door for more nations to participate in red-ball cricket at the highest level while keeping logistical and financial demands in check.

While discussions continue around shortening the duration of Test matches to four days to accommodate the evolving demands of the sport, major cricketing nations like India, England, and Australia are expected to stick with the traditional five-day format—at least for marquee series. Iconic contests such as The Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the newly renamed Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy are likely to retain their historic charm, being played across five matches of five days each. These series not only hold immense historical and cultural significance but also draw significant global attention and revenue, making them prime candidates for preserving the full-length format.

The idea behind this selective approach is that while top-tier rivalries continue to flourish with longer games, smaller cricketing nations—who often struggle to attract large crowds or television audiences for five-day Tests—could opt for shorter four-day formats. This flexibility would reduce logistical and financial burdens while keeping the format alive in those regions. However, for the sport’s powerhouses, sticking with five-day Tests in premier contests serves as a way to uphold tradition, maintain the highest standards of competitive cricket, and ensure that these fiercely fought series continue to provide thrilling, strategic battles over extended play.

"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 from the Guardian claimed.

"England, Australia and India would still be permitted to schedule five-Test series of five-day matches for the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the first iteration of which begins with the first Test between England and India at Headingley on Friday," the report added.

It is being suggested that trimming Test matches from five days to four could offer a practical solution for smaller cricketing nations, enabling them to host more games within the same timeframe. For instance, a series that traditionally comprises two Tests could potentially be expanded to three without extending the tour duration. This adjustment would not only reduce logistical and financial challenges but also increase match exposure and revenue opportunities for boards with limited resources. To compensate for the lost playing time, the proposed format might include a slight increase in daily overs—from the current 90 to 98—ensuring that the total overs across four days remain competitive and sufficient for producing results.

Interestingly, even countries with a strong Test pedigree, such as New Zealand and South Africa—both former World Test Championship winners—are reportedly hesitant to schedule longer Test series. Their reluctance stems from financial constraints, tight international calendars, and waning domestic interest in the longest format. As a result, reducing the number of days per Test appears to be a logical compromise, allowing these nations to remain active in red-ball cricket without overextending resources. The move is being seen as a way to preserve the relevance of Test cricket, particularly for teams struggling to sustain the traditional five-day model.

"Many smaller nations are reluctant to host Tests due to the time they take out of the schedule and the cost, but a move to four-day cricket would enable an entire three-Test series to be played in less than three weeks. In four-day Tests, the playing hours are extended to mandate a minimum of 98 overs per day rather than 90 overs to mitigate the time lost," the report further claimed.