India not happy with SA tour

Cape Town - India's cricket board has objected to the itinerary of their tour of South Africa, stating there are "too many ODIs" and that the eight-day gap between the second and third Tests is too long.

The Proteas are scheduled to play three Tests, two T20s and seven ODIs against the Indians, starting on November 21 and concluding on January 19.

According to the ESPNcricinfo website, the BCCI claims Cricket SA (CSA) announced the schedule without obtaining the BCCI's consent.

"We have written to CSA mentioning that while we have been discussing the tour itinerary, nothing had been agreed upon (before they announced the schedule). The discussions are on and a consensual decision will come soon," said BCCI secretary, Sanjay Patel.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, who is in charge of the BCCI's day-to-day affairs, confirmed they are upset at the way the tour is scheduled.

"We have some concerns over the gap between the last two Tests of the three-match series. We have informed this to our South African counterpart (CSA) and the two boards are trying very amicably to sort out the matter. The new schedule will be announced soon," said Dalmiya.

The BCCI, who prefers to play three-Test series with a three-day interval, also has concerns with the number of matches and the itinerary, especially the seven one-day games.

"If we have five ODIs, perhaps the tour can get over a week early and the boys can have a week-long break before flying to New Zealand (in January 2013)," a BCCI insider said.

CSA, however, denied that it has received any formal complaint from the BCCI.

"If the BCCI has any concerns they can raise them with us and we will sort them out amicably as we have always done in the past," said Michael Owen Smith, CSA's executive consultant.

South Africa's International home programme for the 2013/14 season:

India tour:

18 November: T20 Tour match, India v SA Invitation XI, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom (Day/Night)
21 November: 1st T20 International, Wanderers, Johannesburg (Day/Night)
24 November: 2nd T20 International, Newlands, Cape Town (Day)
27 November: 1st ODI, Kingsmead, Durban (Day/Night)
30 November: 2nd ODI, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth (Day)
3 December: 3rd ODI, Buffalo Park, East London (Day/Night)
6 December: 4th ODI, SuperSport Park, Centurion (Day/Night)
8 December: 5th ODI, Wanderers, Johannesburg (Day)
12 December: 6th ODI, Chevrolet Park, Bloemfontein (Day/Night)
15 December: 7th ODI, Newlands, Cape Town (Day)
18-19 December: India v SA Invitation XI, Boland Park, Paarl
22-23 December: India v SA Invitation XI, The Oval, Pietermaritzburg
26-30 December: 1st Test match, Kingsmead, Durban
2-6 January: 2nd Test match, Newlands, Cape Town
15-19 January: 3rd Test match, Wanderers, Johannesburg

Australia tour:

5-8 February: Australia v SA Invitation XI, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
12-16 February: 1st Test match, SuperSport Park, Centurion
20-24 February: 2nd Test match, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
1-5 March: 3rd Test match, Newlands, Cape Town
9 March: 1st T20 International, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth (Day)
12 March: 2nd T20 International, Kingsmead, Durban (Day/Night)
14 March: 3rd T20 International, SuperSport Park, Centurion (Day/Night)