Series

The cricket word series may indicate many things depending on context. It refers to a cricket series of matches that are played between the national teams of two different nations, and nearly invariably take place on the grounds of one of those countries. This is what is meant by the test format. Exceptions are extremely uncommon. For instance, in 1912, test matches were played as part of the Triangular Tournament (with England, Australia, and South Africa as participants). Additionally, the Asian test tournament twice brought together the national teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh (during the seasons 1998-1999 and 2001-2002, respectively).

Origins and Structure of Test Cricket Series

When cricket was in its early phases of growth, the number of matches that comprised a single test cricket series might vary anywhere from one to seven. Up to the beginning of the 1990s of the previous century, the standard series was organized by two cricket councils. The group that invited the players was responsible for judging, and they were required to invite referees who were qualified.

On the other hand, as the game progressed, the regulations got more complicated, and the audience’s interest in test cricket increased. Additionally, an increasing number of nations joined, each of which claimed a consistent position in the schedule. In light of this, it was decided to establish a unique rotation system in which each of the 10 nations that are participating would take turns playing with competitors throughout the course of a cycle that lasts for six years. Following this, the trophy will be presented to the nation that finished in first position in the rankings.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is now actively engaged in the training and supply of umpires. In 2002, an elite pool consisting of eleven umpires was established. Additionally, the council constructed an international refereeing pool, in which each of the participating nations submits three individuals to serve as referees. Umpires of the highest level are often assigned to practically all test matches, with the exception of matches that are played in their own nation.

Test Status and Global Participation

Currently, twelve teams have test status:

1. England (since 1887);
2. Australia (since 1877);
3. South Africa (since 1889);
4. West Indies (since 1928);
5. New Zealand (since 1930);
6. India (since 1932);
7. Pakistan (since 1952);
8. Sri Lanka (since 1982);
9. Zimbabwe (since 1992);
10. Bangladesh (since 2000);
11. Ireland (since 2018);
12. Afghanistan (since 2018).

In a wider sense, the world cricket series also refers to the format of cricket competitions. There are three of them on a global scale:

• Test;
• One-Day Internationals (ODI);
• Twenty20 Internationals (T20I).

Each and every current series of cricket is played in line with the rules and regulations that have been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which also assigns officials to accompany the matches.

Formats and Famous Cricket Series

Among the formats, the Test Series is the oldest, having been established in the year 1877. The games are played over the course of five days, with each game consisting of two innings. The fact that this series gives teams the opportunity to demonstrate their professionalism, endurance, and technical expertise is one of the reasons why it is regarded as the pinnacle of cricket. The winner of the test rating is awarded a reward money prize of one million dollars, and the three teams who come in second, third, and fourth place each earn a set amount of money.

ODI is a more “calm” format. The format gained popularity only twenty years after its official registration in 1971. This cricket series consists of one inning with fifty overs for each side, and each match lasts for one inning. In the One-Day International (ODI), the Cricket World Cup, which is the most important competition organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), takes place every four years. Furthermore, this format is also responsible for hosting the Champions Trophy, which is attended by the eight nations that have the best rankings, the Women’s World Cup (which occurs every four years), and the U-19 Youth World Cup (which occurs every two years).

With its debut in 2007, the Twenty20 International is the youngest of all cricket series. Only twenty overs are allotted to each side in this version of the game, which comes in a truncated style. The game is very popular because to the high level of intensity that it has and the prominent role that bowlers play in the game. A regular match lasts no more than three hours. The ICC World Twenty20 is the most important competition that is part of this series. The addition of women’s events, which are contested concurrently with the men’s competitions, occurred in the year 2009.

This is interesting: one of the most famous test series, The Ashes, owes its name to a joke published in 1882 in the newspaper “The Sporting Times”. After the first ever victory of the Australians at the famous The Oval, the journalists of the publication wrote: “English cricket is dead, and its remains will be cremated and brought to Australia.” Soon, the captain of the British, Ivo Bligh, vowed to “bring this ashes home.” Thus, the first return cricket series of matches in Australia was called The Ashes, which soon went down in history.