ICC for radical changes in ODI and Test cricket
At the ongoing International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai, some big decisions involving the future of the two longest formats of the game were taken. A 13-team ODI format, and a Test League appear to be in the pipeline, and Ireland and Afghanistan could soon gain Test status.
Test cricket and ODI cricket are set to undergo structural changes with the executive members signing for proposals that will pave the way for a Test League and a 13-team ODI format. The proposals are scheduled to be implemented by 2019.
After day two of the three-day talks, there appears to be a consensus among member nations that this would be best for all playing countries going forward.
After several months of suggestions and consultation, that included the introduction of a Test Championship and a two-tier structure, the Test League was agreed upon to re-organise Test cricket, a format that has existed almost unchanged for all of its 140-year long existence. The current format, which only has bilateral series among 10 nations. Experts have long argued that many of these series are too insignificant and the format desperately needs change. When ICC chief executive Dave Richardson visited Lord's in July last year, he also felt the same. “Doing nothing is not an option anymore,” he had said.
The current format has bilateral series among its 10 full-member nations. Experts have, for long, argued that many of these series were insignificant and that the format desperately needed a change. When ICC chief executive Dave Richardson visited Lord's in July last year, he also felt the same. “Doing nothing is not an option anymore,” he had said then.
The exact details of the proposals are still not public, but in all likelihood, it will feature the current 10 Test-playing teams along with two new members. Ireland and Afghanistan are the most likely candidates if that is to happen.
However, nothing was said of 'iconic' Test series. While dwindling interest in Test cricket is the primary reason for such changes being brought in, match-ups like the Ashes and Border-Gavaskar Trophy have seen a growing number of people following them.
The ODI structure is likely to have 13 teams playing each other in a league format for over three years, with a cut off who will then compete for the World Cup.
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