INDIA AND AUSTRALIA WILL PLAY 5-TEST SERIES IN NEXT FTP CYCLE
By Bibhu Ray
(The Quiver): The India-Australia series will comprise of five Tests on the reciprocal basis in the upcoming cycle of the Future Tours Program (FTP).
According to sources, the expanding bilateral interaction, which will begin in the 2024 season when India is set to visit Australia and compete for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, would begin. The home series against India in 2023 will still consist of four Test matches and take place in February or March.”I think it is a great initiative as it’s the closest contest to an Ashes series for the Australia team, “former Australia Captain Steve Waugh told.
Australia and England regularly play each other over the five tests for the Ashes trophy. In recent years, India have also played England across five tests both home and away, and now the same will apply to the series involving them and Australia.”It is a bonus for Australia, which is due to begin serious negotiations on another broadcast deal. “It is believed the four tests were worth $400m to Cricket Australia in the most recent broadcast deal. An extra Test match against India will add significantly to broadcast revenues.
“It will not the first time the two countries will be involved in five tests. India have had five-test series Down Under thrice, the last one in 1991-92 when Australia had won 4-0.
The next cycle in the FTP, coming into the effect after the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June 2023, is given finishing touches by various boards. In 1959 and 1969, India had hosted Australia for five games while the 1979-80 series ran for six tests.
The four-Test 2023 home series is part of the current WTC and is crucial to both teams’ chances to qualify for the final. Before that, the Australian team is scheduled to visit India for six white ball games-three ODIs and three T20Is.
India are currently holders of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having famously won in 2021-22.
