Live Update: “I think that’s what’s going to hpen” – Todd Greenberg supports 12-team WTC model. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed confidence that a 12-team World Test Championship format will prevail for the 2029-31 cycle.
“I think that’s what’s going to hpen” – Todd Greenberg backs 12-team WTC model (Photo source: ICC) Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed confidence that a 12-team World Test Championship model will prove viable for the 2029-31 cycle. The proposal represents a significant expansion of the current nine-team format that has existed since the WTC’s inceon in 2019. Greenberg made the comments in Durban ahead of Australia’s opening Test against South Africa.
The proposed model would allow one-off tests to be considered for the championship, which could potentially host Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan alongside the existing nine nations. “I think for the next edition [of the WTC] I can understand why there is that number because they want to give every test country the opportunity. Ultimately, however, countries themselves will have to make some difficult decisions, because if the revenue from the ICC does not continue to flow at the rate we have enjoyed, or if they cannot generate their own FTP contracts, then ultimately it is not possible for any company that is the same to continue to distribute more than you earn each year.
That’s where world cricket hpens in certain areas,” Greenberg was quoted as saying by . Under the WTC’s current structure, nine nations compete in two-year cycles, with each team playing six Test series with three home and three away games. The proposed 12-team model would fundamentally change this arrangement and expand the competitive reach of international Test cricket.
Greenberg has previously indicated that the long-term future of Test cricket will require difficult decisions about which nations remain involved in the format. Financial viability and the future of bilateral series The financial pressures faced by some cricket associations have become ever greater. Cricket West Indies managing director Chris Dehring recently described their home season, which also included Test visits from Sri Lanka and Pakistan, as facing major challenges.
Greenberg directly acknowledged the sustainability issue, saying boards cannot continue to pay out more than they earn each year. “It wasn’t very popular when I said that [about Test cricket], but I still say it’s a statement of fact that over time it’s becoming more and more difficult for countries to play Test cricket because it’s very expensive. When I say it’s expensive, don’t take it to mean that it’s about organizing test matches.
It is the ability to invest in your system to create a structure for red-ball cricketers. “You can’t magically find 11 players to play Test cricket,” Greenberg said. “I think there is a world where there will be member countries that don’t play Test cricket, or they may have to play more Test cricket away than at home in order to keep Test cricket [alive] in their country and continue to play this format.”
I think we need to think about it differently. All this reciprocity could bankrupt some countries,” he added. Australia remains keen to face South Africa in a five-Test series in the future, although scheduling issues pose a significant obstacle.
The two countries compete at similar times of the year, making it difficult to coordinate bilateral agreements. From a business perspective, Greenberg suggested that Pakistan was a viable country for longer series given the size of the expatriate community in Australia. Planning the next program: Future Tours Pakistan will tour Australia for three Tests in December 2027, followed by a visit to Sri Lanka in February 2028 after the conclusion of the Big Bash League.
Cricket Australia has reserved the month of January for the Sydney Test in most years, with exceons only during the India tour cycles. Australia’s confirmed home Test opponents for 2027-31 include India in 2028-29 and England in 2029-30, with only the home opponents for 2030-31 still to be determined. “We would like to host South Africa for a five-Test series.
[But] there is a real challenge between our organizations because they play at a similar time of year. I can understand that. That would be like asking if we can come and play in South Africa in December and January.
You know our answer would be, ‘No, we can’t,’ because we protect our own windows,” Greenberg said. “So that’s why it’s difficult. But we are constantly in conversation with them.
I’ll have conversations while I’m here with them. I think South Africa is a very strong test country despite its commercial and financial challenges. We want them to continue playing Test cricket.
We would be hpy to welcome them,” he added.
