Melbourne 17th August : As part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the 2023-27 season, announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) The Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India is set to be on the same level with the Ashes in terms of five-match series.In all, in the FTP, Australia’s men’s squad will take part in 49 Tests 52 ODIs, 52 Tests and the 63 T20Is as well as matches at ICC major events such as ODI and T20 World Cups as well as the Champions Trophy, between now until the conclusion of the next cycle of play.
“We are extremely pleased to have secured high-quality, extensive content for both the men’s and women’s programming in schedules that address many of our main goals for Australian Cricket.The expansion to five Tests of a reciprocal Border-Gavaskar series marks a significant event that will significantly increase the long-standing rivalry and mutual respect that exists between the Australian and Indian teams for men,” said Peter Roach Cricket Australia’s Director of Cricket Operations and Scheduling.
However, in the men’s FTP that begins in the month of April 2023, and will end in March 2027, a more open timeframe in January to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) except for two Test matches that are scheduled at home against West Indies in 2024 and Sri Lanka in 2025, is a good thing for Australia.
This is happening at a time that the UAE’s ILT20 League and South Africa’s new T20 league are battling to be in the same the same space in the same way as BBL.Additionally, in the new FTP, Australia will play two Tests against Bangladesh in March 2027 for the first time following the 2003 games in Darwin and Cairns.
“Importantly that the majority of the content we offer on our home page will stay in our regular window for men and women and will include an continuous international window for WBBL and more possibility in the BBL for Australian players to play in the BBL.”
“The continuous success of our women’s and men’s teams has played an important part in the discussions of both FTPs and has helped ensure Australian cricket fans with consistently top-quality international cricket in the next few times,” stated Roach.
Other notable highlights include keeping the old Australian home window which runs from November to February, Men’s games (across the three formats) against both England and India scheduled for every year from now until 2026-27 and a reciprocal white-ball match against Pakistan.
“The historical tour of Pakistan earlier this year was an important occasion in Australian cricket and we’re looking forward to returning in the near future with a the reciprocal white-ball series which is included in the men’s FTP.”
“We are fortunate to have great relationship with everyone ICC Members and we thank them for the tremendous amount of work and collaboration that was undertaken to create collectively agreed-upon timetables,” added Roach.
In the 2023-25 cycle of the WTC, Australia will play Pakistan, West Indies and India at home, while playing against England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in away matches.In the WTC 2025-27, Australia will be up against England, New Zealand and Bangladesh at home, and traveling to the West Indies, South Africa and India.
“We are delighted to confirm both FTPs for men and women, which provide great opportunities for our fans, both here as well as abroad.We have seen , from recent trips to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Ireland the potential and popularity of international cricket played bilaterally to bring people together and expand the game worldwide.”
“We are thrilled about an exciting schedule of Test matches that are part of the ICC World Test Championship, which includes a five-match series in both the Ashes and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.It is particularly satisfying to announce a multi-format women’s series for our team, with the opportunity to play Test matches and an extensive program of white ball international cricket, for both teams.” added Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO.
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