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AB de Villiers Sir Clive Lloyd Matthew Hayden and Harbhajan Singh have shown support for a new cricket format called Test Twenty which is planned to start early next year. The new format is designed for young players aged 13 to 19. Each game will have four innings with every team batting twice for 20 overs. Players will wear white clothing and use a red ball and the whole match will be completed in one day. Some rules have been adjusted to mix elements of both Test and T20 cricket. Every team can take one PowerPlay lasting four overs during the match. If a team leads by 75 runs or more after the first innings they can make the other team bat again (follow-on). Only five bowlers can be used in a match and each one can bowl up to eight overs. Matches can end in a win loss tie or draw. Speaking at the format launch on Thursday architect of the Fourth Format Gaurav Bahirvani said Weve combined Test cricket with T20 and fused them into a format that gives todays generation what they crave which is intensity with meaning. If you look around there is not a single unifying platform to bring youth cricketers together. Every country has its own system but you havent ever seen kids between 13 and 19 playing together as a part of a single franchise. That multicultural feel like the IPL with the kids will be a wonderful new introduction into the world of cricket. Proud to have launched Test Twenty®️ with @gauravbahirvani . If you’re 13–19 and play with passion this is your chance. Register: https://t.co/zNFYTDL6lV@The_Test_Twenty @HaydosTweets #clivelloyd @harbhajan_singh #ParitySports #oneonesixnetwork#TestTwenty #FourthFormat pic.twitter.com/FNDYvM6tJf — AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) October 16 2025 Lloyd Hayden de Villiers and Harbhajan are part of the Test Twenty advisory team. They shared their enthusiasm about the new format saying it could help connect different styles of cricket and appeal to the next generation of players. “What excites me most is the real creative freedom that this format brings to the party. It lets players completely express themselves but also think differently and take the kind of risks that make cricket so beautiful” de Villiers said on Thursday. “Beyond that it also teaches balance. You need to have the ability to survive across two innings.” Lloyd was also positive in his assessment of the new format. “T20 cricket is an exhibition and Test cricket is an examination. You’re now combining these two things into one. I’m sure it will be a success.” he said. Harbhajan highlighted that attracting and involving fans is key to making the new format a success. “It is the crowd that makes any game famous whether it is cricket hockey or even football in Australia. These games are big because crowds get behind it they endorse it. The best thing we can do is simplify it so that people can understand and connect with it.” The tournament is set to introduce several new ideas including a special AI system that uses machine learning and video analysis. It will also use motion sensors on bats and balls to gather detailed information helping to spot young talent through a three-step selection process.