ICC announces World Test Championship, India to play first match against WI next year

Indian cricket team will play against West Indies in the Caribbean to make its debut in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship to be help in July next year. International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced, its Future Tours Programme (FTP) for a five-year period (2018-2023) which includes the World Test Championship and a 13-team ODI league.

The Test championship will involve nine teams who would contest for the top spot playing three home and three away series over a two-year cycle, with the first cycle beginning in 2019. The final of this cycle may take place at the Lord's in July 2021.

"The sides will play six series in the two-year cycle on a home and away basis against opponents they have mutually selected. The two top-ranked sides will then progress to the June 2021 final to decide the World Test champions," ICC said in release.


"In addition, the 12 Test playing nations and the Netherlands, will participate in the 13-team ODI League, which will run from 1 May 2020 to 31 March 2022 and all the sides will play eight series over a two-year cycle on a home and away basis against mutually agreed opponents."

Every series in the said ODI league will comprise of just three matches and it will be held from 2020 to 2022.