So far, as has been the norm in the WTC cycles, no one-off Test series are included in the Championship. But then that could soon change from the next cycle, as the ICC could be looking to expand the league to 12 teams now. As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, an ICC group, headed by ex-New Zealand batter Roger Twose, is expected to give the recommendation in May, about the same.
One-off Test series on the cards
It was in 2025, that Twose was entrusted with the responsibility of enhancing the competition structure, with complications arising due to three international formats, and also growing T20 leagues around the world. In November, the group had come up with a two-division WTC model, but was not accepted by some full members.
This 12-team WTC format will now include teams like Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan also, among others. The three nations are already full time members of the ICC, but were not included in the WTC, when it commenced in 2019. Despite them playing Tests here and there, their matches were not counted as part of the Championship.
New teams to be part of WTC
So that, the big teams are interested in playing these teams in question, even one-off Tests will be counted as WTC Tests. For now, the rule suggests that a WTC series must comprise of at least two Tests, which could be a loss-making exercise for some boards.
Apart from that, all the 9 teams are required to play three home and three overseas series in a span of two years, as part of the WTC cycle. Now, bigger teams could schedule one-off Tests against these teams, on way to big tours; India could tour Ireland for a Test, before they play a Test series against England.
