ICC approves plans for Test championship and ODI league

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved plans for a new Test championship, a one-day international (ODI) league and the trial of four-day Test matches.

In a statement released today, the ICC Board gave the go-ahead for a nine-team Test league and a 13-team ODI league aimed at “bringing context and meaning to bilateral cricket”.

Scheduled to start in 2019 and 2020 respectively, the details will now be finalised by the ICC.

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The sport’s governing body has also approved the trial of four-day Test matches.

ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said: “Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but this is the first time a genuine solution has been agreed on. This means fans around the world can enjoy international cricket knowing every game counts, and in the case of the ODI league, that it counts towards qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup.”

David Richardson, the organisation’s chief executive, added: “The approval of both leagues is the conclusion of two years of work from the members, who have explored a whole range of options to bring context to every game.

“The ICC Board decision means we can now go and finalise a playing schedule for the first edition, as well as the points system, hosting arrangements and competition terms.”

What is the Test championship?

Starting in 2019, nine teams will play six series over two years – three home and three away - in the two-year Test championship. Each series will have a minimum of two Test matches and a maximum of five. All matches will be played over five days. The World Test League Championship final will be contested between the top two teams in England in June 2021.

How does the ODI league work?

The 13-team ODI league will be a “direct qualification pathway” towards the ICC Cricket World Cup. It will be contested by the 12 full members plus the winners of the current ICC World Cricket League Championship.

The ICC says that in the first edition of the league, starting in 2020, each side will play four home and four away series, each comprising three ODIs.

Richardson confirmed: “Starting in 2020 and in that two-year period leading up to the Cricket World Cup in 2023, those 13 teams will play eight series. The top eight will qualify automatically for the World Cup.”

Four-day Test match trial

The ICC Board also approved a trial of four-day Tests matches to run through until the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. According to the ICC statement: “Members will be able to schedule four-day games by bilateral agreement, and a set of standardised playing conditions will now be finalised.”

Richardson said: “The trial is exactly that, a trial, just in the same way day-night Tests and technology have been trialled by members.

“Four-day Tests will also provide the new Test playing countries with more opportunities to play the longer version of the game against more experienced opponents, which, in turn, will help them to hone their skills and close the gap with the top nine ranked teams.”