The Top 9 Bilateral Cricket Series

A bilateral series is played between two sides. In cricket, there is a history behind different bilateral series played over the last so many decades.

These bilateral series have enthralled cricket fans due to their sheer competitive nature. These bilateral series have managed to create fan bases that have made these traditional rivalries a lot more exciting.

Some of these bilateral series have been named after some of the greatest players the respective countries have produced. In this piece, we discuss some of the most thrilling bilateral series in detail:

1. Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT)

The trophy is named after two of the former greats — Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. The series is played every two or three years, consisting of 4 or 5 Test matches.

India has won 8 out of 9 series played in India, while Australia has won 5 out of 8 series played in Australia. The series has witnessed some of the most high-octane action.

2. Ashes

Arguably one of the most competitive and eagerly awaited series, the Ashes is played between England and Australia. Two of the oldest cricketing rivals have faced each other 73 times, with Australia winning the series 34 times and England winning the series 32 times, while on 7 occasions the series has ended in draws.

The first Ashes series was held in 1882-83 when Australia beat England at the Oval. The Sporting Times Newspaper published a statement: “The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia.”

In the next year, when England toured Australia, a pair of bails were burnt while the Ashes were kept in an urn and given to the England captain. The urn is kept at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

Also Read | Australia’s Dominance in the 1990s to Mid-2000s

3. The Pataudi Trophy & Anthony De Mello Trophy 

The Pataudi Trophy was designed by Jocelyn Burton and named after the Pataudi cricketing family, as it was first commemorated in 2007. If the series is played in England, then the winner is awarded the Pataudi Trophy.

Anthony De Mello was the former Indian cricket administrator and a member of the BCCI. If the series is played in India, then it’s named after him.

The two teams first played a Test in 1932, and since then India has won 31 Tests while England has won 50 Tests, and 50 Tests have ended in draws.

4. The Freedom Trophy

In 2015, Cricket South Africa and BCCI decided to name the series after two of the greatest freedom fighters from both nations. The two cricket boards decided to name the series The Freedom Trophy.

Out of the 44 Tests played between the two teams, India has won 16 matches, South Africa has won 18 matches, while 10 Tests have ended in draws.

Also Read | History of Indian Cricket Over the Years

5. Basil D’Oliveira Trophy

The trophy is named after Basil D’Oliveira, a South African-born English Test cricketer who was included in the England squad for the tour of South Africa in 1968-69. But the tour was cancelled as South African higher authorities objected to his colour.

Since 1888-89, the two teams have played 38 Test series, with England winning 24 times and South Africa winning 9 times, while 5 Test series ended in draws. 

6. Chappell Hadlee Trophy

It is an ODI or T20I series named after the Chappell brothers (Ian, Greg, and Trevor) of Australia and the Hadlee Brothers of New Zealand (Sir Richard, Dayle, and Barry).

The two teams have played 14 series so far, with Australia winning it 8 times while the Kiwis have won it 4 times, and 2 have ended in draws.

7. The Wisden Trophy

The series was introduced in 1963 to celebrate the 100th edition of Wisden Cricketers Almanack and is named after a popular cricket publisher, Wisden. The trophy is played between England and the West Indies.

Both teams have played the series 40 times since 1928, with England winning it 16 times and the West Indies winning it 18 times, while on 6 occasions the Test series has ended in draws. It is also named the Richards Botham Trophy after the two former legends Ian Botham and Vivian Richards.

8. Warne Muralitharan Trophy

The Trophy is named after two former legendary spinners — Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. It was started to commemorate 25 years of cricketing ties between Australia and Sri Lanka in 2007.

The two teams played their first Test series against each other in 1982/83. Australia has won the series 11 times, while Sri Lanka has won 2 times out of the 14 Test series, with 1 ending in a draw.

9. Frank Worrell Trophy

The series was first named after the former West Indian great Sir Frank Worrell, and it is played between Australia and the West Indies. It was commemorated as the Frank Worrell Trophy during the 1960-61 series.

The two teams have played 29 Test series against each other since 1930-31, with Australia winning it 18 times while the West Indies won it 8 times and 3 times the series ended in a draw.

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