The introduction of the World Test Championship was received well from all countries. While things were impressive in terms of points before the final scheduled to be played in 2021, the coronavirus pandemic spoiled the fun. The Test series between England and Sri Lanka was suspended, while the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh was postponed.
The packed cricket calendar has disturbed, and the future Test series is now under threat, and there is no clarity over when the normalcy will come. In the wake of all the uncertainties, the big three International Cricket, BCCI, ECB, and Cricket Australia (CA) have requested the ICC to cancel the Test Championship and revise the Future Tour program.
“This is an ongoing discussion. There is no leadership coming from the ICC,” a leading administrator told in an interview on Thursday.
ICC not in the mood to stop the Test Championship
Meanwhile, the ICC also reported that they are not in the mood to eliminate the Test Championship in any circumstances. It is seriously considering moving forward with the tournament, as if the newly introduced ICC event canceled, it will decline the popularity of the longest format even further.
“They (ICC) are consulting with members to understand their priorities in the coming months. These are very early stages, and a meeting will be held at the end of the month.
Besides, the ICC is also planning to host more global events in the 2023-2031 cycle that significant cricket nations have opposed. More ICC games will eat up the window for the bilateral series, and boards sitting on the healthy media rights deal are likely to oppose the idea.
“What the ICC is trying to do is to propose and schedule more regular tournaments, which will do nothing but eat into the bilateral windows of its member boards.
