Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has recently toured to England and according to the reports, he might have a discussion on the much-awaited 4-nation series. Whereas an informal meeting with the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is scheduled, nothing yet confirmed from Cricket Australia (CA) officials. While speaking to IANS, sources informed that they will discuss how the 4-nation tournament will be played out and also how it can be fitted into the Future Tours Programme.
“Yes, Ganguly headed to the UK from the Eden Gardens on Wednesday and there will be talks around the 4-nation tournament during his stay there. Cricket Australia officials could also join in. That depends on how things progress as some things need looking into,” the source shared.
However, Sourav Ganguly had announced this 4-nation series the day after he took over as the president. This will include India, England, Australia, and another top nation as well. Even the BCCI officials also had meetings with the ECB and CA regarding that matter.
Even after the meeting in December, The ECB had issued a statement that read:
“We meet regularly with other leaders from the major cricketing nations to share learnings and discuss topics that impact our sport. A four-nation tournament was raised at a meeting with the BCCI in December and we are open to discussions with other ICC members to see if this concept can develop.”
Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts had also agreed with this innovative planning. “I think it’s an example of the innovative thinking coming out of the BCCI with Sourav Ganguly as president,”
Roberts had said earlier. “In his very short time, only a couple of months, we have already seen India commit to and host a day-night Test in Kolkata, so a brilliant result there and now a suggestion around the Super Series, another potential innovation.”
The proposed series, however, has to get the nod of both ECB and CA along with the approval of the ICC as it involves more than three teams and is also not a part of the international body’s FTP. Meanwhile, the ICC is looking forward to organizing one flagship tournament every year during the next eight-year FTP cycle (2023-2031) which the BCCI has opposed as well.
