It is not four or five but just three. India will play only three Tests against South Africa when they tour the country at the end of 2013. Some sort of consensus between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) has been reached over the number of matches to be played during India’s two-month tour. India will also play seven ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals during their African sojourn.
This puts to rest speculation over the number of Tests during the series. Originally, there was a proposal for four Test matches and CSA wanted to have one more five-day game at the expense of a few ODIs. In the end, however, the two boards sealed the deal for three Tests.
The broad contours of the two month series were finalised when a South African delegation was in India during the inaugural of Indian Premier League 6 in Kolkata. The delegation, which included CSA president Chris Nenzani and its acting CEO Naasi Appiah, was here for a meeting of the Champions League Twenty20 but the CSA officials used the opportunity to discuss the India tour as well.
“Our visit was mainly for the Champions League but we did have a few other discussions,” Nenzani said. “I think we can’t have more than three Tests. Besides, of course, there will be seven ODIs and two Twenty20 games.” The dates of the matches have not yet been finalised but they will be sometime between mid-November and mid-January.
Nenzani played down BCCI’s reported reservation over the likely appointment of Haroon Lorgat as CSA’s next chief executive.