Bilateral Cricket Series Explained — How ODI and T20 Series Work
A bilateral series is a cricket tour between two nations. Learn how ODI and T20I series are structured, how the ICC Future Tours Programme organises them, what a 'whitewash' means, and why bilateral series still matter in an era of franchise cricket.
A bilateral series is a sequence of cricket matches between two nations, played as part of a scheduled tour. Unlike World Cups and Champions Trophies — which are multilateral tournaments — bilateral series involve only two countries, with one travelling to the other's home ground for a set number of games.
Format of a bilateral series
A bilateral series typically consists of a fixed number of matches — commonly 3 or 5 for ODIs, 3 or 5 for T20Is, and 2–5 for Tests. The winner is the team that wins more matches in the series. If each team wins an equal number, the series is drawn.
| Series Type | Common Format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Test series | 2, 3 or 5 Tests | Win, draw, or 1-all etc. |
| ODI series | 3 or 5 ODIs | 2-1, 3-0, 2-2 draws possible |
| T20I series | 3 or 5 T20Is | 2-1, 3-0, etc. |
ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP)
The ICC Future Tours Programme is the international calendar that governs which countries tour which, and when, across a rolling 8-year cycle. Member nations negotiate bilateral series between themselves within the FTP structure. Matches played within FTP are official internationals that count towards rankings and player statistics.
Home advantage in bilateral series
Home advantage is significant in cricket bilateral series. The host team controls the pitch preparation (to suit their bowlers), has familiar conditions, plays in front of a partisan crowd, and has the psychological comfort of their own dressing room. India's home Test record is one of the most dominant in sport: they rarely lose at home and have not lost a home Test series since 2012.
What is a whitewash?
A whitewash is when one team wins every single match in a bilateral series — e.g., winning a 5-match ODI series 5-0. It is a complete sweep, leaving the losing side without a single victory. Australia whitewashed England in the 2013–14 Ashes 5-0, one of the most comprehensive series wins in Test history.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bilateral cricket series?
A bilateral series is a sequence of cricket matches between just two nations, played as part of a scheduled tour. One country travels to the other's home ground for 3–5 (or more) games across one or more formats.
What does 'whitewash' mean in cricket?
A whitewash means one team wins every match in a series — for example, winning 5-0 in a five-match ODI series. It's cricket's equivalent of a clean sweep.
What is the ICC Future Tours Programme?
The ICC FTP is cricket's international fixture calendar, negotiated between member nations and approved by the ICC, scheduling bilateral series across all formats for an 8-year rolling cycle. Matches within the FTP count as official internationals.
Why does home advantage matter so much in cricket bilateral series?
The home side prepares pitches to suit their bowlers, players know the conditions from childhood, the crowd support is partisan, and there's no jetlag or travel fatigue. These factors combine to give home teams a substantial statistical advantage.