12-team World Test Championship expansion carries financial risk for smaller nations

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said a 12-team World Test Championship including Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland is likely for the next two-year cycle. The expansion would give every Test nation an opportunity to participate in the longest format's premier competition.

Greenberg warned that countries would need to make hard financial decisions if ICC revenues decline or bilateral Future Tours Programme arrangements fail to generate sufficient income. The warning comes as the ICC working group, led by Roger Twose, prepares a revised proposal after an earlier two-division model was rejected.

The three additional nations currently have limited opportunities to play Tests against the nine existing WTC participants. Their inclusion would require sustainable funding mechanisms that smaller boards may struggle to maintain without increased ICC distributions.