Cricket Australia CEO Discusses Potential Expansion of World Test Championship
Future of the World Test Championship
In Durban, South Africa, on October 7, Cricket Australia’s chief executive Todd Greenberg indicated that the World Test Championship (WTC), currently featuring nine teams, might expand to include 12 teams in the near future.
As the International Cricket Council (ICC) member boards finalize the next Future Tours Programme (FTP), discussions about the WTC's expansion are taking place concurrently.
Since its launch in 2019, the WTC has involved nine teams competing in six series over two years, with each team playing three home and three away series. The upcoming cycle from 2029 to 2031 could potentially include teams like Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan, which typically engage in fewer Test matches. The ICC is expected to make a final decision during its meetings in Bali next month.
Greenberg expressed optimism about the 12-team format, stating, "I think that’s what will happen for the next two years."
However, he also pointed out the financial challenges some boards face, which complicates the ability to distribute more funds than they generate annually.
He remarked, "Ultimately, countries will need to make tough decisions because if revenues from the ICC do not maintain current levels, or if they cannot establish their own FTP arrangements, they cannot continue to distribute more than they earn each year. This is the reality for global cricket in certain regions."
Greenberg warned that the number of Test-playing nations might decrease due to the high costs associated with the format and the growing preference among players for shorter formats.
He noted, "It’s becoming increasingly difficult for countries to sustain Test cricket due to its expenses. This isn’t just about hosting Test matches; it’s about investing in a system that nurtures red-ball cricketers. You can’t simply find 11 players to compete in Test cricket overnight."
He suggested that some nations might eventually stop playing Test cricket or may need to play more away matches to keep the format alive domestically.
In discussions about One Day Internationals (ODIs), there were suggestions at an ICC workshop in Dubai last week to organize more multi-nation tournaments to revitalize the 50-over format. One proposal included an Intercontinental competition featuring top teams from various continents.
Regarding the balance between ODIs and T20Is, which have gained prominence in recent years, Greenberg mentioned a potential "up and down system" where the number of ODIs fluctuates based on the World Cup cycle.
He emphasized the significance of ODIs in developing talent, stating, "Everyone in high performance emphasizes the importance of ODI cricket in shaping players. The ODI World Cup is crucial for the commercial success of global cricket. We must find ways to make these matches meaningful."