ICC CEO David Richardson has confirmed that a four-day Test trial will begin with the match between South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

The ICC have been busy recently, implementing new rules, confirming the introduction of a Test and ODI championship, and now approving the concept of a four-day Test.

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After a meeting in Auckland on Friday, the ICC board confirmed that the inaugral four-day Test will be between South Africa and Zimbabwe on Boxing Day.

Teams will then be allowed to participate in a non-compulsory trail until the 2019 World Cup.

‘The trial starts immediately, probably with the first one Zimbabwe playing South Africa from Boxing Day in South Africa,’ said Richardson said. ‘And that trial will run up until the Cricket World Cup in 2019. The trial won’t be compulsory; it will be by arrangement between participating teams in a particular series. So, whoever wants to play it can play it.

‘The real value is, teams like Ireland and Afghanistan, even Zimbabwe who have not been at their best. They will be able to explore the opportunity of playing four-day Test matches. Teams visiting, for example, South Africa, might be more likely to play Zimbabwe in a four-day Test than they would in a five-day Test. So, I think it has a number of advantages.’