English domestic white-ball cricket is in for its biggest shake-up in years, with sweeping changes coming to the men’s and women’s Vitality Blast and the Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup from 2026. The reforms, backed by a two-thirds majority of the 18 first-class counties and shaped with input from the Professional Cricketers’ Association, aim to improve player welfare, reduce travel demands, and sharpen the competitive edge of county cricket.

While the white-ball roadmap is now clear, the men’s County Championship remains under review, with counties yet to agree on the best way forward. A decision is expected before the competition resumes in September.

Men’s Vitality Blast Gets Shorter, Sharper

From 2026, the men’s Vitality Blast group stage will shrink from 14 to 12 matches per team. The competition will revert to the three regional groups of six used in the COVID-hit 2020 season, with each county playing 10 matches against group rivals and two additional fixtures against one side from another group.

The aim is to concentrate the schedule into a block format and complete the tournament by July, before The Hundred begins. Organisers believe the move will make local derbies more intense, improve crowd appeal, and give players more breathing room in a packed summer.

New Men’s Blast Format (From 2026):

County Championship Future Still Unsettled

The red-ball competition remains a sticking point, with three formats under discussion:

Talks will resume later this summer, with promotion/relegation tweaks also on the table.

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Women’s Competitions Get a Boost

The women’s game is also undergoing a structural upgrade, particularly at the top level. Tier 1 of the Women’s Vitality Blast will expand from eight to nine teams with Yorkshire’s addition, while Tier 2 will move to a single national group to create more balanced competition. The Tier 1 schedule will be trimmed to 12 matches, but the top four will now contest two semi-finals before the final, rather than just one semi-final.

Women’s Vitality Blast Changes (From 2026):

The Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup will also see tweaks. Tier 1 will move to a 16-match season, with an eliminator replacing the second semi-final, while Tier 2 will be shortened to 8 matches, with each side facing each other once.

ECB Welcomes Changes

ECB chief executive Richard Gould praised the counties for taking ownership of the reform process. “It’s important we keep evolving domestic cricket to make it the best it can be for players, fans, and the game’s future,” he said.

Beth Barrett-Wild, the ECB’s director of the women’s professional game, said the changes were made with player input and will be reviewed before the 2027 season, when Glamorgan is due to join Tier 1.

Professional Game Committee chair Mark McCafferty described the Blast changes as “a springboard to further investment” that would improve derby intensity and ease pressure on players in a congested summer calendar.

The two-tier Test cricket controversy has been running for more than a decade, and it has intensified with the growing presence of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). While the BCCI, ECB, and CA, the governing cricket bodies of India, England, and Australia, respectively, are the top international cricket boards, their views play very important roles in the future of the game. While the BCCI has shown support for the two-tier Test cricket system, the ECB and CA have brought two different mindsets to the two-tier Test cricket.

The two-tier Test cricket model, which can be seen in the future ICC World Test Championship, can divide the 12 Test members into two divisions. In the ICC Annual Conference, it was the most significant topic. The ICC has also formed a working group, led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Towse, to understand the effectiveness of the two-tier Test cricket model. 

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ECB chairman raises voice against two-tier Test cricket

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Richard Thompson isn't confident enough with the two-tier Test cricket system, as they can't afford to lose the chance to play against their Test rivals Australia and India.

Recently, in the BBC's Test Match Special, Thompson said, "There's a lot of options that we've got to look at - tiers would be one of them. We wouldn't want, as England, we may go through a fallow period, and that means, what, we fall into Division Two and we don't play Australia and India? That couldn't happen. There has to be a sense that common sense needs to play out here."

Thompson feels that the ICC WTC can work in a better way with the improvement of the cricket calendar, which is congested by various T20 leagues. 

The ECB chairman added, "The World Test Championship could work better than it does. It has definitely improved the narrative, [and] it has created a relevance. Seeing what it meant for South Africa to win - who are crushed by rugby in their own country - and seeing players I know really well, like Graeme Smith, in tears on the outfield, that was a real moment seeing them win. As much as I was critical that they turned up with a 'B' team when they played New Zealand [in 2024], it was still good for the game when the underdog wins.

"But the reality of it is, the World Test Championship, if it was improved upon and certain changes were made, maybe you don't need two tiers of Test cricket. What you do need is a schedule that makes a lot more sense than it currently does, and that must include the volume of bilateral cricket that you play, white-ball and red-ball, and recognising that from 2028, we have an Olympics. So what happens in 2028, when we have an Olympics, and our best 11 cricketers have got to go to LA for two weeks in the middle of July? That is going to throw up some challenges."

Cricket Australia CEO open-minded

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg wants to see stronger versions of the present middle-ranked teams in Test cricket.

Greenberg is open-minded about the two-tier Test cricket system, as he feels that it should work better for the other Test-playing nations to earn their support. He further added that the other boards' CEOs also view it similarly. 

The Oval pitch curator, Lee Fortis, has defended himself after a controversy involving India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, during the fifth Test. Fortis said he was made to look like a villain just because he was protective about the main pitch area. He even compared the exciting Test match to the IPL, as it lasted nearly five full days.

A few days before the Oval Test, Gautam Gambhir was seen having a heated argument with the Oval’s head curator, Lee Fortis. It was not a pleasant scene, as Gambhir was seen shouting at Fortis over a small matter.

In the same video, Gambhir was also heard saying, “You are just a groundsman” to Fortis. This clip went viral on social media and got strong reactions. Later in the video, Fortis was seen warning Gambhir to stop using bad language or he would be reported.

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India Wins Thriller, But Tension Off the Field

India won the final Test by six runs in a thrilling finish, tying the series 2-2. After the match, Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis spoke about the controversy with Gautam Gambhir. He told PTI/NDTV:

“Well, I was never the villain; I was made into one. Hope you guys enjoyed the show, and the atmosphere was like the IPL. It was a great game.”

The incident happened when Indian coaches were told to stay 2.5 metres away from the pitch. This didn’t go well with the Indian team. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak shared in a press conference (via Indian Express):

“When we went to see the pitch, we were asked to keep a 2.5-metre distance. This was surprising. The Test was just a few days away, and we were wearing joggers. So it felt a bit odd.”

He added, “We all have played enough cricket. Curators are usually protective of the ground, but they should understand that they are speaking to skilled and experienced people.”

Fortis Stays Focused Despite Drama

During the heated exchange, Gambhir called Fortis “just a groundsman,” which upset the Indian camp. Fortis didn’t say much at the time but called Gambhir “tetchy” before the big match.

Fortis, who has won the ECB Curator of the Year award three times in a row, is known for being dedicated to his work. Soon after Siraj bowled Gus Atkinson to seal the win for India, Fortis was already back near the main pitch, preparing for The Hundred games starting August 9.

Even after the crowd had left the stadium, Fortis continued his work calmly. His actions, like driving the heavy roller before play, caught the eye of the Indian media. Locals describe the 7-foot-tall Fortis as an “interesting” person who takes his job very seriously.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a primary decision on the next three Final venues of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), and it is surely not good news for Indian cricket. 

The ICC has awarded England to host the next three ICC WTC Finals, which will be played in 2027, 2029, and 2031. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) successfully hosted the first three WTC Finals. Southampton hosted the inaugural WTC Final in 2021, where New Zealand won the first WTC mace after beating India in the Final.

The Oval hosted the second WTC Final between India and Australia in 2023, and Australia won that mace. Last June, Lord's hosted the third WTC Final (2025), where South Africa faced the defending champions and won the mace for the first time to end their 26-year drought of an ICC trophy.  

See Also: Upcoming ICC tournaments from 2026 to 2031: Check hosts, tournament type, and year

Next 3 ICC WTC Finals: India and other nations once again ignored

As the ECB successfully hosted the first three WTC finals, it is no shocker that the ICC has awarded the next three WTC Finals to them. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was interested in organising any of the next WTC Finals, but it seems far away from the dream.  

The ICC officially stated, "The Board also confirmed the awarding of hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 editions to the England and Wales Cricket Board, following a successful track record in hosting recent finals."

Lord's has already been planned for the WTC Final 2027. So, the latest ICC meeting has brought the decision of the hosting nation for the ICC WTC Final 2029 and 2031. 

Why has England been preferred for the WTC Finals?

While the WTC Final has generally been played in June, England is one of the best places to host it at this time. Meanwhile, June is a rainy season for most of the Indian states, which makes it tougher for the country to host the big tournament.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with his sensational performances during India U-19’s 3-1 Youth ODI series win over England. The 14-year-old prodigy, who had already caught eyeballs through his explosive displays for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, amassed 355 runs at a stunning strike rate of 174. His series tally included 27 sixes and a scintillating century, further strengthening his status as a generational talent.

Daniel Peacock, a prominent cricket analyst and statistician for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), revealed how Vaibhav’s brilliance is making waves far beyond Indian shores. “The first time I watched him in the flesh, though, I do remember a real air of excitement at Northamptonshire for the second one-dayer—more photos, more press, the BBC had even come to see him play,” Peacock told the Times of India.

“I knew I was watching a serious star talent. He hit 86 from 31 in a 40-over game reduced due to weather, which included six fours and nine sixes. He got a standing ovation after pulling the pacer Sebastian Morgan to backward square leg. The PA announcer, when announcing his score after the dismissal, said: ‘I think we will be seeing a lot more of this boy play.’”

“A very special young boy playing cricket”

Peacock recalled how the young sensation lit up the New Road ground in Worcestershire with a commanding all-round show. “Then at New Road, home of Worcestershire, in a near-perfect all-round performance, he strutted comfortably to 143 off 78 balls. By the time he walked off after being caught in the deep to spin, I think everyone inside the venue had long realized they had just witnessed something really special.”

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He further added how Vaibhav has grown into a crowd-puller and a national name in England among cricket lovers. “People are starting to make noise about him here. Cricket fans already know who he is—even if they can't all pronounce his name. These games usually attract a few die-hards, but there's certainly been a little extra media attention (we've had the likes of BBC, The Athletic, Getty, etc.), and a lot of British-Indians have come to watch Vaibhav play in the flesh for the first time.”

“The people I've spoken to in the game—I think we all have the same feeling. We've watched and witnessed a young star in the making, something very special. I would go as far as to say he's probably the best 14-year-old in any sport that I've seen live. I think the sentiment in England is that we are watching a very special young boy playing cricket—and the expectancy is Tendulkar-Kohli-level, or even beyond,” Peacock concluded.

ECB Looks at Bringing Back Global T20 Club Tournament

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is thinking about starting a new World Club Championship for T20 cricket. It’s been over ten years since the last Champions League T20 (CLT20) was held. The CLT20 ran from 2009 to 2014. Its final match was in Bengaluru in 2014, where Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders. The tournament stopped because not enough people were interested, and it didn’t make enough money.

Since then, many countries have started their own T20 leagues. England has The Hundred, South Africa has the SA20, the UAE has the ILT20, and the United States has the MLC. In other sports, too, club tournaments are growing. Football’s FIFA Club World Cup is getting a new format, and rugby is planning its own Club World Cup. ECB chief executive Richard Gould said they’re very interested in creating a tournament like the old CLT20.

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- CLT20 is set to return as the World Club Championship in 2026. 🤯

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“That is on the cards,” Gould told ESPNcricinfo. “Without doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship for both men and women. That’s the next logical step.” Gould also said the old CLT20 was a good idea but came too early. “That tournament was ahead of its time,” he said. “Commercially, it couldn’t keep up with expectations, but it was a really good event.”

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For this new World Club Championship to work, most of the IPL teams would need to support it. Many IPL owners already have teams in other countries. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has said that the BCCI might support the idea if it can bring real value to the game.

Jofra Archer's long-awaited return to red-ball cricket made headlines for more than just his on-field performance. The England pacer, featuring for Sussex in the County Championship after a 1501-day gap, breached the tournament’s clothing regulations by wearing black socks—against the rulebook that permits only white or light grey. Archer played against Durham at Chester-le-Street, marking his first red-ball appearance since 2021, but now faces a likely fine or official warning from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Archer looked in solid rhythm with both bat and ball. He bowled 18 overs and had one wicket to his name, catching opener Emilio Gay lbw, and also contributed 31 runs off 34 balls with a useful hand. Yet it was his sock selection that caused the furor. Rules for the County Championship clearly state that players are required to play in white or light grey socks, thus rendering Archer's black socks in direct breach. Such infractions normally earn players financial fines or disciplinary action.

Interestingly, Archer is not alone in this fashion misstep. Indian captain Shubman Gill was also seen wearing black socks during the ongoing Headingley Test and is under scrutiny by the ICC for the same. Both cases have drawn attention to strict clothing codes in red-ball cricket, which, while rarely enforced, remain binding for all players.

Archer’s Return Gains Momentum Despite Error

Despite the minor off-field blunder, Archer’s return has been promising. With his performance against Durham, he is now strongly in contention for a place in England’s Test side for the second Test against India at Edgbaston starting July 2. It would mark his first red-ball match for England in nearly four years.

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The comeback of the fast bowler from chronic injuries has been under observation, and this match is a step in this direction towards the international arena. While the incident with the sock may result in a small punishment, it hasn't cooled down the building excitement regarding Archer's comeback to the Test stage.

Sachin Tendulkar has finally addressed the recent controversy surrounding the renaming of the India-England Test series trophy to the 'Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.' The move, jointly announced by the BCCI and ECB, has replaced the long-standing 'Pataudi Trophy,' which honored the legendary Indian captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. This decision sparked considerable backlash from fans and experts who felt that the legacy of Pataudi should not have been sidelined.

Speaking to RevSportz, Tendulkar revealed that the decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy was entirely that of the cricket boards. “Let me then tell you the full thing. First things first, the decision to retire the trophy rested with the BCCI and the ECB. Only after they had taken the decision did they communicate that to me,” he clarified. Tendulkar also expressed deep respect for the Pataudi family's contributions to Indian cricket, acknowledging both Pataudi senior’s and junior’s impact on the sport. “I am conscious of the contribution they have made to Indian cricket… those stories inspire us all,” he said.

Determined to ensure that the legacy was not erased, Tendulkar took personal steps to keep it alive. “That’s why I was determined to ensure that the legacy was kept intact,” he stated. He further revealed that he had conversations with the Pataudi family and followed up with discussions with ICC President Jay Shah, the BCCI, and the ECB to explore ways to honor the Pataudi legacy.

Pataudi Medal and England Connection

Thanks to Tendulkar’s efforts, a new honor—the Pataudi Medal of Excellence—will now be awarded to the winning captain of the series, preserving the Pataudi name in a different form. Tendulkar emphasized the importance of this outcome, stating, “I spoke to Mr. Jay Shah, the BCCI and the ECB, and mentioned to them that something had to be done to ensure the legacy stayed on.”

Reflecting on the naming of the trophy after himself and James Anderson, Tendulkar shared his deep personal connection with England. “Not many know that the first-ever flight that I took was also to England in 1988... My first international hundred was at Old Trafford… I was the first non-English cricketer to play for Yorkshire... my mother-in-law is English... I feel humbled that the trophy was named after Jimmy Anderson... and myself.”

Another twist before the five-match Test series between England and India. As per some latest reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to rethink scrapping the prestigious Pataudi Trophy.

The ECB has already decided to retire the Pataudi Trophy and replace it with a newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy for the upcoming England vs. India Test. The decision by the cricket governing board of England received mixed reactions. Two former internationals, James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar, also consider them as the greats of the game. Anderson played his last Test match for England at Lord's against the West Indies in July 2024. Throughout his career, he took 704 Test wickets in 350 innings. Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from international cricket on November 16, 2013, after playing his 200th Test match. In 200 tests, he scored 15,921 with an average of 53.78, including 51 centuries. 

According to the latest information, BCCI expressed their desire to preserve the legacy of the former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. With that aim, the board asked ECB to name one of their awards for individual performances in the upcoming series after the legendary figure of Indian cricket. Though nothing is official yet. In fact, the ECB has yet to officially announce the decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy, which was introduced in 2007 for the first time to celebrate India’s 75th anniversary of their first Test in 1932.

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Official confirmations yet to come

"We have requested them to name one of the post-match trophies after Pataudi, and they will revert to us. It’s the ECB that decides on whom they want to name their series. The BCCI has no role in it, as it’s their home series," a BCCI official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. 

However, it is also known that the ECB had informed Pataudi's son and Bollywood actor, Saif Ali Khan, about the renaming of the trophy.

BCCI's desire to host the final of the next edition's ICC World Test Championship Final (WTC Final) is all set to be rejected, and the hosting rights are likely to be held by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the latest media report suggested. 

During the ongoing WTC Final 2025, a fresh report has claimed that, like the first three editions of the tournament, the ECB will be the host to arrange the next three WTC finals as well. Official confirmation is yet to come, but verbally the cricket governing body of England reportedly got the confirmation from the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to the media reports, the ICC is expected to confirm England’s hosting rights at its annual conference scheduled for July. If ECB receives the hosting rights as mentioned in the reports, then it can be extended through to 2031.

England has already arranged three finals, including the ongoing one between Australia and South Africa. There can be various factors behind preferring England over any other cricket-playing nation to arrange the 'ultimate Test' in each edition. The cricket-loving crowd in England often gathers in large numbers to witness a high-voltage Test match. Even the ongoing match at Lord's sees a full house for the first three days. Cricket fans' enthusiasm in the UK about the longest format of the game, no matter which two teams are performing, is possibly a definite factor to fix England as the probable host of the final for three more upcoming editions. 

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Though, there can be different opinions also, like in the recent past. Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins questioned the venue for the final match. According to both Sharma and Cummins, the ICC should consider other countries too as the host of the WTC final. 

Rohit and Cummins raised questions before 

"It can be played any time of the year and anywhere in the world, not just in England," Rohit Sharma said. 

And, according to the Australia skipper, "It'd be nice if maybe the previous winner hosted that for the next time, or something like that." But as an alternative, I think having it at Lord's every cycle is also a pretty good place."