Top News

Triangular series, once a regular feature in international cricket, could make a comeback in the near future.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has shown interest in bringing back multi-nation tournaments, with discussions taking place around organising more three-team and four-team competitions.

ECB CEO Richard Gould has indicated that such tournaments could return as cricket boards look for ways to make international cricket more competitive and exciting.

However, there is no official confirmation yet about a fixed calendar or specific teams involved.

The idea is to bring back a format that was once extremely popular among cricket fans.

Why Triangular Series Disappeared From International Cricket

There was a time when triangular series were one of the biggest attractions in world cricket.

Teams like India, Australia, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies regularly participated in three-team tournaments.

These competitions provided high-quality matches because teams had to compete against multiple opponents instead of playing only one bilateral series.

However, over the years, the format slowly disappeared.

The growth of bilateral cricket, franchise leagues and a crowded international calendar reduced the number of opportunities for multi-team tournaments.

Today, most international cricket is played through bilateral series or ICC events.

Shubman Gill Also Wants More Multi-Team Tournaments

India captain Shubman Gill has also backed the idea of bringing back triangular and quadrangular series.

Gill explained that multi-team tournaments could make ODI cricket more interesting because teams would face different challenges instead of playing the same opponent repeatedly.

According to Gill, the return of such tournaments could help increase the importance of ODI cricket and create more competitive matches.

For a generation of fans who grew up watching tournaments like the Coca-Cola Cup and NatWest Series, the return of triangular cricket would bring back old memories.

India, England and Australia Triangular Series Could Be a Huge Attraction

A tournament featuring India, England and Australia would immediately attract worldwide attention.

These three teams have some of the biggest fan bases in cricket and regularly compete in high-pressure matches.

A triangular series between these sides could provide:

• High-quality cricket
• Strong broadcasting value
• Competitive preparation before ICC tournaments
• More meaningful ODI matches

With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, teams will be looking for better preparation opportunities.

A tournament involving top teams could provide exactly that.

Multi-Nation Tournaments Can Help Emerging Teams

Another important advantage of triangular series is the opportunity they provide to smaller cricket nations.

Instead of only playing against top teams during ICC events, emerging sides could gain valuable experience by competing in regular multi-team tournaments.

Countries like Zimbabwe, Namibia, Scotland and other developing cricket nations could benefit from sharing the field with stronger teams.

This would help improve their standards and provide more exposure.

Triangular Cricket Has Already Seen Some Revival

While major international triangular tournaments have become rare, the format has not completely disappeared.

Regional cricket boards have continued to organise three-team competitions.

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia have shown interest in such tournaments, providing a model of how smaller multi-nation events can work.

The challenge now is bringing the format back at the highest level with major cricket nations involved.

ECB Support Could Start Bigger Discussions

For triangular series to return regularly, cooperation between major cricket boards will be crucial.

The ECB’s positive approach could encourage discussions with other boards, including the BCCI and Cricket Australia.

However, organising such tournaments will require solving several challenges:

• Finding suitable windows in the international calendar
• Managing player workload
• Balancing bilateral commitments
• Ensuring commercial viability

If these challenges are managed properly, multi-team tournaments could become an important part of international cricket again.

Triangular Series Could Give ODI Cricket a Fresh Boost

ODI cricket has faced questions in recent years due to the rise of T20 leagues and packed schedules.

However, many players and former cricketers believe the 50-over format still has a strong future.

The return of triangular and quadrangular tournaments could provide ODI cricket with a fresh identity.

Instead of long bilateral series with limited context, teams would compete in tournaments with a clear objective and stronger competition.