World cricket took a step towards an "every country for itself" position with news of a proposed tri-series Twenty20 tournament involving Australia, South Africa and India next year.
The international calendar for 2009 is already squashed with a variety of events, both bilateral tours and multi-nation competitions andin all three forms of the game.
That has not stopped Cricket South Africa revealing plans for the code's version of a Tri-Nations competition to be held in South Africa and Australia. When? That's the big question.
CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said the idea crystalised during discussions on the periphery of the International Cricket Council's meeting of chief executives in Dubai last month.
"At this point we are confident that it will take place but we haven't finalised venues, details of the prize money or sponsorship," he said.
In other words, very little has been inked in, but even the fact that the series is even in the wind is likely to raise ICC eyebrows.
Australia and India have been noticeably quiet on the series so far.
The interesting part of the proposed tri-series is where it will be fitted into a bulging calendar - and no country can play more than seven Twenty20 internationals in a year, outside the world championship.
In addition to the nation vs nation tours already locked in for each country - and New Zealand are playing two of them in one-on-one matches next year - there are four events where there is common ground.
All three countries have players involved in the Indian Premier League, (April 10 to May 29); the world Twenty20 championship, (England, June 5-21); the Champions League, (September 25 to October 10); and the Champions Trophy 50-over tournament (probably about September).
Sri Lanka's captain, Mahela Jayawardene, suggested one annual tournament to keep all nations happy. Nice thought. Fat chance.
Full Book
How Australia's 2009 year is shaping up:
*Until Jan 30: Home series against South Africa
*Feb 1-15: Home ODIs against New Zealand
*Feb 20-April 17: Tour South Africa
*June 5-21: World Twenty20 championship in England
*June 24-Sept 20: Ashes tour of England
*September: Possible rescheduled Champions Trophy
*Oct 13: Start of seven-game ODI series in Indi
*November: Home series against Pakistan
*December: Home series against West Indies.
