How Cricket Bilateral Series Are Structured: Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and the FTP
A bilateral cricket series is a scheduled set of matches between two nations — as opposed to multi-nation tournaments (World Cups). Bilateral series form the backbone of international cricket's schedule, governed by the ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP), which allocates bilateral series between Full Member nations across 4-year cycles. A typical tour includes 2-5 Tests, 3-5 ODIs, and 2-3 T20Is — with the combination varying based on the commercial value of the series, the nations' competitive history, and ICC FTP requirements. Understanding the FTP explains why some bilateral series are long (India vs Australia: 5 Tests) and others very short.
What is the Future Tours Programme (FTP): the FTP is the ICC's master schedule — a document that allocates all bilateral international cricket series between Full Member nations across a planning cycle (currently 4-year cycles). The FTP specifies: (1) Which nations tour which, and when. (2) How many Tests, ODIs, and T20Is each bilateral tour must contain. (3) The home/away balance — ensuring each nation hosts and tours in roughly equal measure. FTP structure: the current FTP (2023-2027) was agreed between all Full Member nations after extensive negotiation. Major bilateral series (commercially highest value): India vs Australia (5 Tests), India vs England (5 Tests), England vs Australia Ashes (5 Tests). Medium bilateral series: South Africa vs England (3-4 Tests), India vs South Africa (3 Tests), Australia vs New Zealand (3 Tests). Smaller bilateral series (associates or lower-commercial-value): Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan (2 Tests), Ireland vs Bangladesh (2 Tests). Why series length differs: the length of a Test series reflects: (1) Commercial value: a 5-Test India vs Australia series generates approximately $200-250M in broadcast rights; a 2-Test Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh series generates modest regional income. (2) Historical tradition: England vs Australia (Ashes) is always 5 Tests — tradition overrides commercial calculation. India vs New Zealand is typically 2 Tests — sufficient to generate a competitive result without the schedule conflict of a longer series.
How Series Results Are Determined'
How a Test series result is decided: a Test series result is determined by counting match wins: in a 5-Test series, the first team to win 3 Tests wins the series. If the series is 2-2 after 4 Tests, the 5th Test is decisive. A draw (no result) means the series is 'drawn' — both teams retain their series record with neither winning. In Ashes tradition: England retain the Ashes if a series is drawn (they hold the Ashes). An Australian team that draws in England has not won the Ashes back. A 2-2 draw in a 5-Test series means England retain. ODI series format: typically 3 or 5 matches. First team to win 2 matches (from 3) or 3 matches (from 5) wins. Rain rules in ODIs (DLS) means some matches may produce results with reduced overs. T20I series: typically 3-5 matches. Same winner-takes-majority format. Super Overs for tied matches (in most ICC Playing Conditions) rather than counting boundaries. The ICC World Test Championship implications: from 2019, bilateral Test series results contribute WTC points. Each Test series (regardless of length — 2 Tests or 5 Tests) is worth the same total WTC points allocation. This creates a structural advantage for nations that play many short series (they can win the same WTC points from a 2-Test series as a 5-Test series loss-avoidance strategy). The WTC points formula: ICC allocates a maximum of 120 WTC points per Test series (for a clean sweep), divided proportionally by the number of Tests in the series.
The Commercial Structure of Bilateral Series'
How bilateral series are commercially packaged: the host board earns the majority of income from a bilateral series: (1) Broadcasting rights: the most valuable component — TV rights for India-hosted Tests are worth more than almost any other cricket product. India vs Australia Tests in India sell broadcasting rights for approximately $25-50M per series (3 Tests). (2) Ticket sales: large stadiums (Narendra Modi Stadium at 132,000 capacity; Eden Gardens at 66,000; MCG at 100,000) generate significant match-day income. (3) Sponsorship: series sponsorship (naming rights, perimeter advertising, player kit sponsorship) adds additional revenue. Visiting nation's income: the visiting nation receives a guaranteed minimum fee (agreed in FTP terms) from the host board — typically 20-30% of the host's broadcasting rights revenue. This visiting-nation guarantee is how smaller cricketing nations (Zimbabwe, Afghanistan) earn significant income from away tours to India or Australia. The bilateral series in the T20 era: a growing trend is for T20I series to replace or reduce ODI series — teams prioritise T20Is (3-5 matches in 5-7 days) over ODI series (3-5 matches in 10-12 days) because: T20Is generate equivalent TV ratings in shorter calendar time, T20Is create fewer player-availability conflicts with franchise leagues, and T20Is are easier to schedule around Test series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP)?
The ICC FTP (Future Tours Programme) is the master schedule allocating all bilateral international cricket between Full Member nations across 4-year planning cycles. It specifies which nations tour which, when, and how many Tests/ODIs/T20Is each bilateral tour must contain. The current FTP covers 2023-2027. Major series (India vs Australia, Ashes) are given priority scheduling; associate members receive remaining calendar gaps.
How is a Test series decided?
A Test series result is determined by counting match wins — the team with more wins takes the series. In a 5-Test series, the first team to win 3 Tests wins. A drawn series (equal wins each, or all Tests drawn) means neither team wins — the series is drawn. In Ashes tradition, England retain the Ashes if a series is drawn (an Australian team must win the series, not merely draw it, to reclaim the Ashes).
Why do some cricket series have more Tests than others?
Test series length reflects commercial value and historical tradition: (1) High-value series (India vs Australia, Ashes) are typically 5 Tests — generating maximum broadcast revenue. (2) Medium-value series (South Africa vs England, India vs New Zealand) are typically 2-3 Tests. (3) Lower-value series (associate members) are typically 2 Tests. The Ashes is always 5 Tests by tradition regardless of commercial calculation. ICC's FTP allocates series length in FTP negotiations between member nations.
How do WTC points work in bilateral series?
Each bilateral Test series (regardless of length) carries the same maximum WTC points allocation (120 points for a clean sweep). Points are divided proportionally — winning 3 of 5 Tests earns more points than winning 1 of 5. A shorter 2-Test series earns the same maximum 120 points for a sweep as a 5-Test series. This creates a structural feature where nations playing many short series can accumulate WTC points efficiently. The top 2 nations after each 2-year WTC cycle qualify for the WTC Final.