BCCI proposed 4-nation series hit by a roadblock due to reservations from CA, ECB

After taking over as the Board of Control Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly proposed to host a four-nation Super Series involving India, Australia, England, and the fourth nation that is yet to be finalized. The proposed tournament is set to take place in 2021 but the plan is currently hit by an obstacle with reservations being made by Cricket Australia (CA) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). BCCI is yet to receive a nod from both the cricket bodies before moving on to the next step.

Earlier, Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI revealed that they had talks with both ECB and CA representatives regarding the same in December 2019 and January 2020 respectively. BCCI official in the know of developments said that the Indian board is yet to get the complete go-ahead from both the boards with regards to the 4-nation tournament to start from 2021.

“We are looking at the 4-nation series and our officials have also had a word with the ECB officials in December as well as the Cricket Australia officials when they were here in January. But, there are certain reservations and issues that need sorting before we can go ahead and enter the next stage of planning. We may need to wait for a little,” the source was quoted by the Indian Express as saying.

Super Series facing hurdles due to packed international calendar

According to media sources, it is being said that both CA and ECB have raised questions over the tournament. Due to the packed international cricketing calendar already in place, the boards are required to alter their calendars for the proposed competition to happen.

The proposed Super Series will also require a green signal by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as it involves more than three nations. ICC is keen on organizing one flagship tournament every year during the next eight-year FTP (2023-2031) and the Super Series is currently not a part of the top cricketing body’s FTP.

Meanwhile, Australia head coach Justin Langer has stated that a lot of negotiations will be required for the tournament to take place as the schedule in world cricket is jam-packed right now. “We all understand the schedule in world cricket is really tight, so I am sure there will be lots of negotiation and there are people, that’s their role to negotiate and get that right. But we all know it is a tight schedule,” said Langer.

Watch: Irfan Pathan’s interview post his retirement