England to test out new formula
ENGLAND are to take part in a Test world championship after the sport’s governing body gave the go-ahead to a nine-team, two-year series to begin in 2019.
Joe Root’s side could also be involved in four-day Test matches in new proposals accepted by the International Cricket Council at their board meeting in Auckland, New Zealand.
The ICC have also given the green light to a 13-team one-day international league, which will begin in 2020 and lead to direct qualification for the World Cup.
Nine teams will play six series over the new two-year Test championship – three home and three away.
Each series will have minimum of two Tests and maximum of five.
The top two teams will contest a play-off final to determine the Test champions in England in June 2021.
For the ODI league, the ICC’s 12 full members and the winners a a of the current World Cricket League Championship will contest four home and four away series, each comprising three matches.
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said: “I would like to congratulate our members on reaching this agreement and putting the interests of the development of the game first.
“Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but this is the first time a genuine solution has been agreed on. This means fans around the world can enjoy international cricket knowing that every game counts and, in the case of the ODI league, that it counts WORLD VIEW: England captain Joe Root towards qualification to the World Cup.” The ICC also approved the trial of four-day Tests if both sides agree but all Test championship matches will be five-day contests. ICC chief executive David Richardson welcomed the development. He said: “Four-day Tests will also provide the new Testplaying countries with more opportunities to play the longer version of the game against more experienced opponents, which, in turn, will help them to hone their skills and close the gap with the top teams. “Playing structure was the remaining piece and ICC have been working on this for a long time. “This is an important decision for cricket and all series will have more context and value going