Historic changes to Test and one-day cricket after ICC announced World Test League Championship
TEST cricket will get a grand final and meaningless one-day games will be axed after the International Cricket Council announced its long-awaited World Test League Championship.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TEST cricket will get a grand final and meaningless one-day games will be axed after the International Cricket Council agreed to make every match worth winning.
The first ‘World Test League Championship Final’ will be held in 2021 after nine Test nations play six series each over two years — three home and three away — most likely beginning with the 2019 Ashes.
THE ASHES: STOKES’ WEDDING TO GALVANISE ENGLAND
PAT CUMMINS: AUSSIE STAR WARNS ENGLAND TO BRACE FOR BOUNCERS
BBL: FROM SUPER BOWL BOSS TO BIG BASH BOSS
Series can be two to five games and points will be allocated by a system yet to be decided. Then every two years the top two nations will face-off in a clash to decide Test cricket’s best team, with a massive cash prize on offer.
The changes could cost two Test matches per nation per calendar year, but Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said the increased context around every individual match would negate any loss of games.
“I think the prestige and engagement with Test cricket will be higher if we make it more precious,” Sutherland said on Friday.
“This is a really significant moment in international cricket history. This is the first time there has been broad structure and context for international cricket.
“In their own way series between countries have their own context. But the broader context of a league and championship provides … a really strong narrative for fans.
“Every game will have context and meaning, not just for the two countries playing, but for third party countries who results could impact on.”
One-day cricket faces the biggest change with every series after the 2019 World Cup limited to just three matches. And every match will have a bearing on qualification for the next World Cup.
There will be less ODI games too, but a greater spread of matches between 13 nations in each four-year period.
The one-day changes also mean Australia must at some stage in a World Cup cycle play games against minnows like Ireland, Afghanistan and potentially the Netherlands.
The top-placed team in the World Cricket League Championship, which includes Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and Nepal, will join the 13-team one-day league after the next World Cup.
Sutherland said less Tests and ODI matches would open the schedule for more T20 cricket, be it international or in series like the Big Bash League.
The ICC also approved a trial of four-day Tests beginning with a match this summer between South Africa and Zimbabwe under a set of standard playing conditions yet to be finalised.
Sutherland said it was “highly unlikely” Australia would take part in the trials.
PLAYING FOR KEEPS
— Nine Test nations (excluding Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe) play six series each over two years — three home and three away — earning points via a system to be decided.
— First series will be the 2019 Ashes in the UK.
— The two leading teams will play first ever World Test League Championship Final in 2021.
— A 13-team one-day league will be a direct qualification path for the World Cup.
— Each team will play four home-and-away one-day series, of maximum three matches each, beginning in 2020, before the 2023 World Cup.
Dizzy declares vindication over contentious SA McSweeney call
Mike Hussey urged South Australia to look beyond their borders for players who could win them a Sheffield Shield. It may have just jagged them an Australian Test captain.
Key change set to spark trade frenzy
Expect plenty of action after the WBBL and BBL finals, with confirmation of a new player movement window that should spark a trade frenzy.