Date:21/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/21/stories/2008042160711900.htm

Sport - Cricket

England Board confirms India Test series

P. Subramanyam

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday that an agreement had been reached with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that England would play a four-Test series against India in 2011.

It was also stated that the ECB had reached an agreement with the BCCI about the tour of India this November and the home series in 2011.

The BCCI got its wish to play two Tests and seven One-Day Internationals, rather than three Tests and five ODIs later this year.

In 2011, England and India will play four Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 international.

India has a busy fixture this autumn with September’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan being followed by a four-Test series with Australia, ahead of England’s arrival.

The BCCI decided that it could not fit in a three-Test series against England as well as seven ODIs and India was reluctant to cancel two one-dayers because of the popularity of the shorter format.

Collier delighted

The ECB Chief Executive, David Collier, said, “I am delighted that the schedule for this winter can now be finalised with the BCCI. We would have liked to have played a third Test this winter, but with the India-Australia series starting a week later than originally planned, this was not feasible,” he said.

The Tests have been awarded to Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston and the Brit Oval. Cardiff, Durham, the Rose Bowl, Lord’s and the Brit Oval have been given the ODIs, while the Twenty20 venue is yet to be determined.