MCC bats for boosting Test cricket, suggests limiting ODIs

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of the laws of the game, has recommended limiting the number of one-day internationals (ODIs) after the 2027 World Cup to improve quality of cricket and create space in the calendar. MCC has also suggested to establish a fund to help smaller nations play Test cricket.

MCC also called for more funds to be directed to women’s cricket, saying ‘significant transformation’ was needed to protect the overall sport.

In a recent meeting at the Lord’s, the MCC’s 13-member World Cricket Committee (WCC) proposed removing bilateral ODIs, other than in the one year preceding each World Cup.

The panel made the suggestion keeping in mind the crowded calendar, which features T20 domestic franchise leagues around the world.

“The committee questioned the role men’s One Day International (ODI) cricket now plays outside of ICC World Cups, and recommended it be significantly reduced following the completion of the 2027 ICC Men’s World Cup,” MCC said in a statement.

The committee, headed by former England captain Mike Gatting and comprising former India cricketers Sourav Ganguly and Jhulan Goswami, has asked the ICC to create a balanced and equitable Future Tours Programme for men’s cricket after 2027.