India-Australia series unlikely

MUMBAI, JULY 12. The three match series between India and Australia in September end - two at the Docklands Indoor (Colonial) Stadium, Melbourne and one at Gabba, Brisbane - appears to be a doubtful starter. The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Programmes & Fixtures Committee is not in favour of the Indian team's participation in the three match series.

The P & F committee's report will be considered at the BCCI's `Balance sheet' Working Committee meeting in August. The senior players, too, it appears, have told the BCCI that they would prefer to spend a fortnight at home before they travel to South Africa.

The P & F committee is in favour of India fulfilling its Asian Test Championship obligation soon after the team's return from Sri Lanka on September 3. India is scheduled to play Pakistan in Lahore and afterwards, Bangladesh in India. The BCCI officials feel that active monsoon during September would deter it from committing itself to the second match against Bangladesh.

Even the prospect of India's match against Pakistan will largely depend on the Indian Government's keenness to resume the cricketing ties. Two years ago, it was a Government initiative that had made possible the revival of India-Pakistan series.

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