VB Series
Encyclopedia
The Australian Tri-Series refers to the one day international cricket
tournament held between 1979-80 and 2007-08 between the home side and two touring teams, in the height of the Australian cricket season, i.e. during the summer months of December, January and February. Between 1979–80 and 1995–96 it was known as the World Series Cup
. After 1996-97, it took on various commercial names: the Carlton and United Series (1996-97 to 1999-2000); the Carlton Series (2000-01); the VB Series (2001-02 to 2005-06); and, most recently, the Commonwealth Bank Series (2006-07 to 2007-08).
Throughout its existence, the tournament was held as a series of One Day Internationals, featuring a round-robin played amongst the three teams, followed by a finals series played between the top two. The most common format over the years was that each team played each other four times in the round-robin, and the final was decided by a best-of-three series (with the third match played only if necessary). Variations were:
The concept of a three-team international series (known as a tri-series) in cricket originated with the World Series Cricket
program sponsored by Kerry Packer
, and the first two tri-series between Australia, West Indies and a World XI have never been awarded official One Day International status.
The 2007–08 Commonwealth Bank Series was the last Australian annual tri series. Ending a 29 year old tradition it would be replaced with Australia hosting separate tournaments against any touring sides. For the 2008–09 season, Australia played five-match series against both South Africa and New Zealand (for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy
) in January and February 2009 respectively; both series were still known by the commercial Commonwealth Bank Series name. A return to the tri-series format has been earmarked for the 2011-12 season, featuring Australia, India and Sri Lanka.
Played mostly during a strong era for Australian cricket, Australia won 18 of the twenty-nine tri-series played. Australia failed to reach the finals on only three occasions. The West Indies, who featured in the series frequently during the 1980s, was the next most successful team, winning 6 tournaments. Other international teams to win the tri-series were England (twice), India, Pakistan and South Africa (once each).
Since the 2005–06 season, VB has been a secondary sponsor of Australia's cricket season which ties in with their Boonanza and Warnie promotions featuring retired cricketing greats such as David Boon
, Ian Botham
and Shane Warne
.
Series, the VB
Series and the current Commonwealth Bank
Series.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
tournament held between 1979-80 and 2007-08 between the home side and two touring teams, in the height of the Australian cricket season, i.e. during the summer months of December, January and February. Between 1979–80 and 1995–96 it was known as the World Series Cup
World Series Cup
The World Series Cup was the name of the One Day International cricket tournament that took place in Australia every season between Australia and two touring teams from 1979-80 to 1995-96. The tournament was renamed the World Series from 1990-1. This was the very first of the One Day International ...
. After 1996-97, it took on various commercial names: the Carlton and United Series (1996-97 to 1999-2000); the Carlton Series (2000-01); the VB Series (2001-02 to 2005-06); and, most recently, the Commonwealth Bank Series (2006-07 to 2007-08).
Throughout its existence, the tournament was held as a series of One Day Internationals, featuring a round-robin played amongst the three teams, followed by a finals series played between the top two. The most common format over the years was that each team played each other four times in the round-robin, and the final was decided by a best-of-three series (with the third match played only if necessary). Variations were:
- Each team played the others five times during the round robin (from 1980-81 to 1985-86, and 1998-99)
- Each team played the others three times during the round robin (2004/05 only)
- The finals series was best of five (1980-81 and 1981-82)
- A quadrangular series featuring two touring sides as well as Australia A; each team played the others twice during the round robin, followed by a best-of-three finals series. This unique format was seen only in 1994-95. Matches played against Australia A are not considered ODIs.
The concept of a three-team international series (known as a tri-series) in cricket originated with the World Series Cricket
World Series Cricket
World Series Cricket was a break away professional cricket competition staged between 1977 and 1979 and organised by Kerry Packer for his Australian television network, Nine Network. The matches ran in opposition to established international cricket...
program sponsored by Kerry Packer
Kerry Packer
Kerry Francis Bullmore Packer, AC was an Australian media tycoon. The son of Sir Frank Packer and Gretel Bullmore, the Packer family company owned controlling interest in both the Nine television network and leading Australian publishing company Australian Consolidated Press, which were later...
, and the first two tri-series between Australia, West Indies and a World XI have never been awarded official One Day International status.
The 2007–08 Commonwealth Bank Series was the last Australian annual tri series. Ending a 29 year old tradition it would be replaced with Australia hosting separate tournaments against any touring sides. For the 2008–09 season, Australia played five-match series against both South Africa and New Zealand (for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy
Chappell-Hadlee Trophy
The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in cricket is an annual ODI series between Australia and New Zealand. It is named after legendary cricketing families from the two countries, the Chappell brothers of Australia and Walter Hadlee and his three sons, , of New Zealand.The trophy is currently held by...
) in January and February 2009 respectively; both series were still known by the commercial Commonwealth Bank Series name. A return to the tri-series format has been earmarked for the 2011-12 season, featuring Australia, India and Sri Lanka.
Played mostly during a strong era for Australian cricket, Australia won 18 of the twenty-nine tri-series played. Australia failed to reach the finals on only three occasions. The West Indies, who featured in the series frequently during the 1980s, was the next most successful team, winning 6 tournaments. Other international teams to win the tri-series were England (twice), India, Pakistan and South Africa (once each).
Since the 2005–06 season, VB has been a secondary sponsor of Australia's cricket season which ties in with their Boonanza and Warnie promotions featuring retired cricketing greats such as David Boon
David Boon
David Clarence Boon MBE , nicknamed Boony, is a former Australian cricketer whose international playing career spanned the years 1984–1995...
, Ian Botham
Ian Botham
Sir Ian Terence Botham OBE is a former England Test cricketer and Test team captain, and current cricket commentator. He was a genuine all-rounder with 14 centuries and 383 wickets in Test cricket, and remains well-known by his nickname "Beefy"...
and Shane Warne
Shane Warne
Shane Keith Warne is a former Australian international cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game. In 2000, he was selected by a panel of cricket experts as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, the only specialist bowler selected in the quintet...
.
Tournament results
This list covers the results of the era during the rebranding of the series between Carlton and United, the CarltonCarlton & United Beverages
Carlton & United Breweries is an Australian brewing company based in Abbotsford, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. In 1983 it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Elders IXL and CUB was delisted. In 1990, Elders IXL renamed to the Foster's Group, and in July 2004, CUB changed its name to Carlton and...
Series, the VB
Victoria Bitter
Victoria Bitter is one of the many iconic beers manufactured in the Australian state of Victoria. VB currently maintains the highest market share of all beer sold in Australia, both on tap and packaged...
Series and the current Commonwealth Bank
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is a multinational bank with businesses across New Zealand, Fiji, Asia, USA and the United Kingdom. Commonwealth Bank provides a variety of financial services including retail, business and institutional banking, funds management, superannuation, insurance,...
Series.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | |||
| Most Runs: Brian Lara Brian Lara Brian Charles Lara, TC, OCC, AM is a former West Indian international cricket player. Lara is generally regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time... WI – 424, Most Wickets: Shane Warne Shane Warne Shane Keith Warne is a former Australian international cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game. In 2000, he was selected by a panel of cricket experts as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, the only specialist bowler selected in the quintet... AUS – 19 |
|||
| 1997–98 | |||
| Most Runs: Ricky Ponting Ricky Ponting Ricky Thomas Ponting , nicknamed Punter, is an Australian cricketer, a former captain of the Australian cricket team between 2004 and 2011 in Test cricket and 2002 and 2011 in One Day International cricket. He is a specialist right-handed batsman, slips and close catching fielder, as well as a very... AUS – 462, Most Wickets: Allan Donald Allan Donald Allan Anthony Donald is a former South African cricketer and one of their most successful pace bowlers.In his prime, he was one of the best fast bowlers ever seen in Test cricket, reaching the top of the ICC Test rankings in 1998 and peaked with a top ICC ranking of 895 points the next year, the... RSA – 17 |
|||
| 1998–99 | |||
| Most Runs: Mark Waugh Mark Waugh Mark Edward Waugh AM is a former Australian cricketer, who represented Australia in Test matches from early 1991 to late 2002, and made his One-Day International debut in 1988. Waugh is regarded as one of the most elegant and gifted stroke makers to ever play the game. His nickname is "Junior" as... AUS – 542, Most Wickets: Glenn McGrath Glenn McGrath Glenn Donald McGrath AM , nicknamed "Pigeon", is a former Australian cricket player. He is one of the most highly regarded fast-medium pace bowlers in cricketing history, and a leading contributor to Australia's domination of world cricket from the mid-1990s to the early 21st century... AUS – 27 |
|||
| 1999–2000 | |||
| Most Runs: Ricky Ponting Ricky Ponting Ricky Thomas Ponting , nicknamed Punter, is an Australian cricketer, a former captain of the Australian cricket team between 2004 and 2011 in Test cricket and 2002 and 2011 in One Day International cricket. He is a specialist right-handed batsman, slips and close catching fielder, as well as a very... AUS – 404, Most Wickets: Glenn McGrath Glenn McGrath Glenn Donald McGrath AM , nicknamed "Pigeon", is a former Australian cricket player. He is one of the most highly regarded fast-medium pace bowlers in cricketing history, and a leading contributor to Australia's domination of world cricket from the mid-1990s to the early 21st century... AUS – 19 |
|||
| 2000–01 | |||
| Most Runs: Mark Waugh Mark Waugh Mark Edward Waugh AM is a former Australian cricketer, who represented Australia in Test matches from early 1991 to late 2002, and made his One-Day International debut in 1988. Waugh is regarded as one of the most elegant and gifted stroke makers to ever play the game. His nickname is "Junior" as... AUS – 542, Most Wickets: Shane Warne Shane Warne Shane Keith Warne is a former Australian international cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game. In 2000, he was selected by a panel of cricket experts as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, the only specialist bowler selected in the quintet... AUS – 19 |
|||
| 2001–02 2001–02 VB Series The 2001-02 VB Series was a One Day International cricket tri-series where Australia played host to New Zealand and South Africa... |
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| Most Runs: Jonty Rhodes Jonty Rhodes Jonathan Neil "Jonty" Rhodes is a former South African Test and One Day International cricketer who played for the South African cricket team between 1992 and 2003.Rhodes was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province, South Africa... RSA – 345, Most Wickets: Shane Bond Shane Bond Shane Edward Bond was a New Zealand cricketer, described as "New Zealand's best fast bowler since Sir Richard Hadlee". He has represented New Zealand in Test, ODI and Twenty20 International cricket as well as playing for Canterbury in New Zealand domestic cricket and Warwickshire in English... NZ – 21 |
|||
| 2002–03 | |||
| Most Runs: Nick Knight Nick Knight Nicholas Verity Knight is a former England cricketer. Knight's middle name was in honour of the 1930s English Test bowler Hedley Verity who was killed in World War II and is a distant family relation... ENG – 461, Most Wickets: Brett Lee Brett Lee Brett Lee is an Australian cricketer.After breaking into the Australian Test team, Lee was recognised as one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket... AUS – 18 |
|||
| 2003–04 | |||
| Most Runs: Adam Gilchrist Adam Gilchrist Adam Craig Gilchrist AM , nicknamed "Gilly" or "Churchy", is an Australian international cricketer who currently captains Kings XI Punjab and recently captained Middlesex. He is an attacking left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper, who redefined the role for the Australian national... AUS – 498, Most Wickets: Irfan Pathan Irfan Pathan Irfan Pathan is an Indian cricketer who made his debut for India in late-2003 and was a core member of the national team until a decline in form set in during 2006, forcing him out of the team... IND – 16 |
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| 2004–05 | |||
| Most Runs: Michael Clarke Michael Clarke (cricketer) Michael John Clarke is an Australian cricketer. He was appointed captain of the Test and ODI teams on 30 March 2011. Nicknamed 'Pup', he is a right-handed batsman, and occasional left-arm orthodox spin bowler... AUS – 411, Most Wickets: Brett Lee Brett Lee Brett Lee is an Australian cricketer.After breaking into the Australian Test team, Lee was recognised as one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket... AUS – 16 |
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| 2005–06 2005–06 VB Series The 2005–06 edition of the VB Series was a three-team One Day International men's cricket tournament held in Australia in January and February 2006, between the hosting nation's team, South Africa and Sri Lanka... |
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| Most Runs: Kumar Sangakkara Kumar Sangakkara Kumar Sangakkara is a Sri Lankan, Sinhalese cricketer and the former captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team. He is a left-handed top-order batsman... SL – 469, Most Wickets: Nathan Bracken Nathan Bracken Nathan Wade Bracken is a former Australian cricketer. A tall left-arm fast-medium bowler, Bracken is capable of swinging the ball both ways. He has represented Australia in all forms of the game... AUS – 17 |
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| 2006–07 | |||
| Most Runs: Ricky Ponting Ricky Ponting Ricky Thomas Ponting , nicknamed Punter, is an Australian cricketer, a former captain of the Australian cricket team between 2004 and 2011 in Test cricket and 2002 and 2011 in One Day International cricket. He is a specialist right-handed batsman, slips and close catching fielder, as well as a very... AUS – 445, Most Wickets: Glenn McGrath Glenn McGrath Glenn Donald McGrath AM , nicknamed "Pigeon", is a former Australian cricket player. He is one of the most highly regarded fast-medium pace bowlers in cricketing history, and a leading contributor to Australia's domination of world cricket from the mid-1990s to the early 21st century... AUS – 13 |
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| 2007–08 | |||
| Most Runs: Gautam Gambhir Gautam Gambhir Gautam Gambhir is an Indian cricketer, a batsman. He has been a member of the Indian national cricket team since 2003 and 2004... IND – 440, Most Wickets: Nathan Bracken Nathan Bracken Nathan Wade Bracken is a former Australian cricketer. A tall left-arm fast-medium bowler, Bracken is capable of swinging the ball both ways. He has represented Australia in all forms of the game... AUS – 21 |
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| 2011–12 | |||