(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] The World Cricket Commitee (WCC) of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardians of the law of the game, proposed to ICC that a Test series should feature a minimum of three matches from the Future Tours Programme 2028 onwards.
In an issued statement, the MCC cited the thrilling Test cricket being played all around but the series not coming to a conclusion due the lack of decider. This happened when India and South Africa fought in a two-match Test series that ended 1-1. Same was the case when the West Indies toured Australia for two Tests with each side win a match apiece.
“The meeting occurred in the immediate aftermath of two fantastic men’s Test matches played in Brisbane and Hyderabad, which excited supporters of the Test match format, yet also left them ruing the absence of a possible third match decider in the Australia v West Indies two-match series,” said the committee as quoted.
”In support of the thrilling Test cricket currently being played and the importance of sustaining the traditional format of the game, the WCC recommends men’s Test series be played across a minimum of three matches from the next ICC Future Tours Programme from 2028 (next cycle) onwards,” it added.
In a WCC meet chaired by former Sri Lanka captain Kumara Sangakkara, India’s efforts for their contribution to generate a significant portion of revenue were recognised. However, an emphasis was also given on recognising new markets for the sport with the USA coming on the forefront of this, jointly hosting the T20 World Cup 2024 along with the Caribbean.
“The game owes a debt of gratitude to India, with its insatiable thirst for cricket driving the wealth in the global game. However, this reliance upon India belies the fact that the game needs to identify new markets to ensure its global growth, at a time when media rights beyond the current cycle are by no means guaranteed.”
“With this uncertainty identified and on the back of the momentum built through this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean and the build-up to the 2028 Olympics in the USA, the acceleration of the USA as a growth market for cricket would seem a natural consideration.”