ICC Test and ODI League: All you need to know about the new events

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is all set to kick-start a nine-team Test league and also a 13-team ODI league in 2019 and 2020 respectively, in a bid to bring meaning to bilateral cricket series. The Test championship will feature nine teams. Each of the nine teams will play six series- three home and as many away over the two years period with each having a minimum of two Tests and a maximum of five.

• All matches will be played over five days culminating in a World Test League Championship Final.
• The ODI league will be a direct qualification pathway towards the World Cup and will be contested by the 12 full members plus the winners of the current ICC World Cricket League Championship.
• In the first edition of the league, each side will play four home and four away series each comprising of three ODIs moving to all teams playing each other from the second cycle onwards.
• The main intention behind the introduction of the leagues is that brings more meaning to every match.
• According to ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar, This means fans around the world can enjoy international cricket knowing every game counts and in the case of the ODI league, it counts towards qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Shashank Manohar’s statement

“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,” Manohar said in a statement after the governing body’s meeting.

“The ICC Board decision today means we can now go and finalise a playing schedule for the first edition as well as the points system, hosting arrangements and competition terms.” the ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said in a statement after the governing body’s meeting.