LONDON: According to a report published in The Guardian, the ICC is exploring a major shift in Test cricket by allowing shorter four-day matches for lower-ranked nations, a move aimed at increasing participation and enabling more Test series for developing teams.

Discussions around the proposal reportedly took place during the recent World Test Championship final at Lord’s, with ICC Chair Jay Shah said to have expressed his support for the idea. If implemented, the four-day format would be introduced during the next WTC cycle beginning in 2027.

The reform is intended to offer more flexibility in scheduling and to reduce the cost burden on boards of smaller nations. However, the traditional five-day format will remain in place for cricket’s powerhouses — India, Australia, and England — preserving the marquee Test encounters that attract global viewership.