The ICC is poised to shake up the cricket calendar like never before – and it's a radical rethink that could change the face of international cricket forever. In a bold move, the governing body is exploring the introduction of fixed windows for each format, continental championships, and even a World Club Championship for T20 franchises. The seeds of this revolution were sown in Edinburgh at the ICC's annual general meeting, where consultants from McKinsey led discussions that promise to leave no stone unturned.
The cricket world is abuzz with the news, as domestic franchise leagues continue to grow in influence and popularity. With a focus on safeguarding the long-term viability of Test matches, ODIs, and Twenty20s, the ICC is under pressure to come up with a framework that allows international cricket to thrive alongside its biggest stars – the likes of Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings.
ODIs are set for a dedicated window, perhaps as early as 18 months before the next World Cup, while more radical concepts, like shortening the length of ODIs, are also on the table. The ICC is also eyeing ways to boost its portfolio of events, particularly those that don't feature England, India, or Australia – and often struggle for commercial traction.
While there's no talk of adding new global tournaments in the immediate future, the ICC may look to schedule more multilateral events – potentially featuring a mix of established and rising nations. The reintroduction of continental championships is one idea on the table, alongside an ambitious World Club Championship concept that promises to put T20 franchises centre stage.
Not everyone will be happy with these changes, though. Major cricketing nations like England, India, and Australia prefer to control their own revenue streams – and any moves by the ICC to directly manage bilateral or multilateral series may face opposition from these powerful boards. However, the concept of fixed international windows for each format is expected to be more favourably received by players and these boards alike.
Elsewhere at the AGM, there's talk of expanding the World Test Championship to 12 teams from 2027-29 – a move that could see Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan join the fray. With one-off Tests set to become WTC-eligible in this new era, a final decision on the WTC format is due in November.