ICC considers World Cup cuts & WTC semis in overhaul

ICC considers World Cup cuts & WTC semis in overhaul Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Australia are one of only three teams to win the World Test Championship, along with New Zealand and South AfricaByTimothy AbrahamBBC Sport JournalistPublished28 minutes ago6 CommentsThe International Cricket Council held its annual conference in Edinburgh last week. A number of important issues surrounding the future of international cricket were discussed - both informally and formally - in meetings involving some of the game's most influential decision makers.With the ICC set for talks with broadcasters over new deals, the governing body is keen to consider how best to position the various formats to ensure they can maximise their value.BBC Sport spoke to several sources to find out about some of the ideas proposed.World Cup changesThere looks set to be a shake-up to the structure of men's World Cups in both formats.A proposal is on the table to reduce the 50-over World Cup from 14 teams to 12 along with the addition of a 'super seven' stage.This could even be in place for the 2027 edition, which is being co-hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.To achieve it, the ICC is likely to only allow two teams to progress from a global qualifying tournament rather than four as originally planned.A tweak to the T20 World Cup is also said to be under review, with the 'super eight' stage increasing to a 'super 10' phase.All of the above could lead to an increase in the one fixture the ICC wants to see more of: India versus Pakistan.The two sides do not play each other outside major tournaments but it is seen as the most marketable fixture for television. Elsewhere, England, India and Australia have their key fixtures for the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2027 to 2031 locked in alongside global tournaments, but the rest of the full members are yet to sort out their schedules.There is a meeting pencilled in for August when they wil...