The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to steer clear all the obstacles and approve the ambitious plan to hold a World Test Championships soon.
The premier Test competition was initially proposed in 2009 and came close to being organised in 2014 before getting postponed due to the lack of financial strength. It got reported that the ICC will decide at a meeting in New Zealand this week. The Test Championship was designed to re-ignite the waning interest in the longest format of the game. The rise of the T20 has decreased the popularity of Tests as crowds, and television viewers prefer the slam-bang version due to its short nature.
However, the effort to launch the league got stuck due to the fears that some nations may be at a disadvantage. As of now, it seems that the sport’s governing body has plans for a nine-nation Test championship and the idea will receive a green light on Friday in Auckland. The first competition will run over a two-year cycle beginning in 2019 and will finish with the top two teams battling it out for the top honours at Lord’s. It is also speculated the final will be held in the vintage, timeless format.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the league competition would give Test series a broader international “context”, making them more than stand-alone bilateral contests.
“You’re also creating structure in such a way that you no longer have games without meaning. They are all part of a league championship,” he told the Australian newspaper.
The Auckland meet will also see discussions about the idea of four-day Test matches which is getting floated in recent weeks. The traditionalists have opposed the move, but the final verdict is yet to be taken. A major shake-up of One-Day International fixtures is also expected.