Archive · 18 Jun 2025
ICC to Introduce Four-Day Test Matches for Smaller Nations
Cricket is considering some changes!
The ICC is planning to let smaller countries play Test matches that last four days instead of five.
This should help them play more games because they take less time.
Bigger teams like India, Australia, and England will still play the longer five-day matches.
These changes are starting in 2027 to try to make the sport better.
ICC to sanction four-day Tests for smaller nations in the 2027-29 World Test Championship cycle.
India, Australia, and England can continue playing five-day Test matches.
The change aims to help smaller nations play more Tests and longer series.
Four-day Tests were first sanctioned by the ICC in 2017.
Playing hours in four-day Tests are extended to mandate a minimum of 98 overs per day.
- Who
- The International Cricket Council (ICC).
- What
- ICC sanctioning four-day Tests for smaller cricket nations.
- When
- Proposed for the 2027-29 World Test Championship cycle.
- Where
- Affects international cricket globally.
- Why
- To allow smaller nations to play more Tests and longer series, adapting the format.
- Governing Body
- ICC
- Test Length Change
- Four-day tests for some nations
- Exempted Teams
- India, Australia, England
- Cycle Start
- 2027-29 WTC cycle
- Overs per Day in 4-day Tests
- Minimum 98
Sources
ICC ready for 4-day Tests in 27-29 WTC cycle; Ind, Aus, Eng to still play 5-day matches: Report
ICC ready for 4-day Tests in ”27-29 WTC cycle; Ind, Aus, Eng to still play 5-day matches: Report
ICC To Introduce 4-Day Test In Next WTC Cycle; IND, ENG And AUS Could Still Play 5-Day Games
ICC to allow four-day tests for smaller nations; India, Australia and England retain five-day format
Ind, Aus, Eng to Maintain 5-Day Format Amid ICC's 4-Day Test Plans: Report
Four-day Tests could become a reality in 2027–29 WTC cycle, but India, Australia, and England may be exempt: Report
ICC’s Game-Changing Move: 4-Day Tests Coming In Next WTC Cycle; Big 3 Exempt
Indian Test Team Faces Its Biggest Challenge After 5050 Days As Shubman Gill And Co. Brace To Face Ben Stokes' England In WTC 2027 Cycle
ICC to sanction plans for four-day Test matches in 2027-29 WTC cycle? Here's what we know so far
ICC Likely To Make Big Change To Test Cricket, India, Australia And England To Be Exempted From New Rule: Reports
Game on the move: New rules aim to future-proof cricket as T20 boom forces global rethink - Telegraph India
