ECB Confirms Big India Move With England: Tri-Series Return And Five-Test Series Revealed

Joe Root and Virat Kohli [Source: AFP]

The England and Wales Cricket Board has made it clear that India remains one of the most important partners for English cricket. While the two boards continue to work closely on the future of the sport, ECB CEO Richard Gould has opened up about two formats that could receive a major boost in the coming days.

Gould confirmed that discussions around an ODI arrangement are progressing, while also describing a five-Test series set to take place as the highest level of competition for England.

ECB CEO Confirms Development Of Triangular Series Involving India

The return of a triangular ODI series could become one of the biggest changes in international cricket over the next few years.

Speaking about the future of the format, ECB CEO Richard Gould confirmed that some triangular series are already being planned for the next 12 to 18 months. The development comes after India's ODI captain Shubman Gill expressed his desire to see the traditional three-team format return to international cricket.

According to Gould, the concept has not completely disappeared from the international calendar. Some triangular series are already being discussed, and the format could once again become an important part of international cricket.

This could be particularly significant for India, considering the enormous commercial value of the Indian team and the interest generated whenever the Men in Blue play an ODI.

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The last major men's ODI tri-series involving India, England and Australia was back in 2015, when the three nations met each other, and the series was won by England on January 30 at the WACA Ground. 

Since then, the three-team ODI format has gradually disappeared from the international calendar, with bilateral series and ICC tournaments taking up most of the space.

However, the situation could now change. With Gould confirming that triangular series are being worked on for the next 12-18 months, India could once again find itself playing multi-team ODI cricket outside ICC tournaments.

India To Play Five-Match Test Series vs England

While ODI cricket could be preparing for a revival, the ECB is not looking away from Test cricket. In fact, Gould described a five-Test series against India and Australia as the highest level of competition for England cricket.

England has traditionally maintained a strong Test rivalry with India, with the five-match series giving both teams enough time to adapt, recover and fight back after difficult games.

Gould also made it clear that the ECB is happy to play five-Test series against India and Australia and would like to have similarly long Test contests against South Africa in the future.

For India, this is important because the five-Test format has become increasingly valuable in an era where international cricket is fighting for space against franchise leagues.

Gould's comments also suggest that the ECB wants to maintain a strong cricketing relationship with India. "India and England should play more cricket" is perhaps the simplest way of looking at the situation.

With India being one of the biggest forces in world cricket and England having one of the strongest Test traditions, more matches between the two sides make sense both competitively and commercially.

Why The ODI Focus Is Back In World Cricket?

The renewed discussion around the triangular series comes at an interesting point for ODI cricket. For several years, 50-over cricket has found itself caught between Test cricket and T20 cricket. ODI series have often struggled to generate excitement unless they are part of a major tournament cycle.

But ODI cricket still has one major advantage. It remains the format in which several of the world's biggest international stars continue to play.

A number of established players have already moved away from T20 internationals or reduced their commitments in the shortest format. For these cricketers, ODI cricket remains the natural bridge between Test cricket and franchise T20 leagues.

This could give the 50-over format a major boost. Players who are no longer interested in playing every T20I could still remain available for ODIs, particularly when major ICC tournaments are approaching.

For broadcasters, this is equally important. A bilateral T20I can compete with hundreds of franchise matches around the world. But an ODI involving India, England, Australia or South Africa still brings together international stars for a longer contest.

The return of a triangular series could therefore provide broadcasters with a more attractive package. That creates a tournament-like narrative without requiring the ICC to organise another global event.

Tri-Series Could Give ODI Cricket A Fresh Identity

The biggest problem with bilateral ODI cricket has been the lack of context. A three-match series can sometimes feel disconnected, particularly when neither side has a major tournament immediately ahead.

A tri-series changes that. Every game carries a points-table implication. Teams have to manage their combinations across multiple opponents, while the final creates a natural climax.

For India, this could also provide an opportunity to test players ahead of major ICC tournaments. Shubman Gill's desire to see the triangular series return therefore makes sense from a cricketing perspective.

India could use these competitions to give opportunities to younger players while still keeping its established stars involved. At the same time, England and the third participating nation would receive the same advantage.

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