Last Updated on 19 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering a number of changes to the cricketing calendar. It comes after the annual conference in Edinburgh last week, where the game’s governing body held discussions with the 12 full member nations.
The ICC is set for talks with broadcasters over a new deal. The deal is crucial for funding cricket worldwide, and the focus is maximising the value of each format.
ICC annual conference: Governing body considering 4 changes to the cricketing calendar
Here are some of the key changes being considered.
1. WTC semi-finals, but Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan unlikely to feature in next cycle
Adding semi-finals to the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is a possibility as the ICC wishes for more teams to be in contention. Currently, only the top two teams qualify for the final, which often mean matches between teams in the middle of the table towards the end of the cycle count for nothing in the context of the WTC.
In terms of expanding to 12 teams, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan may have to wait a little longer. According to the BBC, there are plans to include these three nations, but no concrete proposals have been submitted as yet. This makes it unlikely that they will be part of the next cycle.
2. Reduce ODI World Cup to 12 teams, bring in Super 7 stage
Tristan Lavelette of the Cricket Financial Journal reported that the ICC is considering reducing the 2027 ODI World Cup from 14 teams to 12. In addition, a ‘Super 7’ stage is a possibility. The motive behind the move is believed to be maximising the possibility of multiple India-Pakistan matches, which generate huge viewership and revenue figures.
If this change goes ahead, two teams will progress from the Qualifier rather than four.
3. Encourage full members to schedule more ‘A’ matches and ODIs against Associates
The ICC has “strongly encouraged” full member nations to schedule more ‘A’ matches and ODIs against Associate nations. These games can improve the standard around the world and help the sport grow.
Speaking of ODIs, the ICC at this stage won’t make any changes to the number of overs. However, there are discussions on how to keep the format relevant in the world of T20 leagues, although the revival of the ODI World Cup Super League is unlikely.
Speaking ahead of the first ODI against England, India captain Shubman Gill said there should be more triangular and quadrangular series to add a different dimension to the format.
“I don’t think it should be 40 overs,” Gill said. “We used to play a lot of triangular series and it was a lot of fun to watch. We used to play in Australia, India, Australia, Sri Lanka. You’re not playing with just one team. You’re playing with two different teams. You’re playing in different venues.
“So, I think, if we want to make this (ODI) format interesting, instead of having bilateral series, we should have triangular series, maybe quadrangular series. Let’s do something like that, so that will be interesting to play and to watch.”
4. Reintroduction of the World Club T20
Franchise executives around the world are set to meet later this year to iron out a plan for the World Club T20. This tournament will bring the top teams from domestic leagues around the world, similar to the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) that ran between 2009 and 2014. However, that was cancelled due to lack of viewership and sponsorship opportunities.
It will be interesting to see how a World Club T20 would run given the world of cricket has changed significantly in the last decade. IPL franchise owners now own a host of teams around the world, including in the SA20, CPL and MLC. There is a strong chance that the BBL is next.
