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Uncertainty remains over India's tour to South Africa this summer after CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat
and BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel met in Dubai. The pair held talks on
Monday evening, while both were attending the ICC Chief Executives'
Conference, but did not reach any understanding on the number of matches
or the dates for India's tour. CSA said confirmation will only be
reached after the BCCI's AGM on September 29.
Although CSA would be hopeful the BCCI arrives at a final decision by
end of this month, the likelihood of a longer wait cannot be ruled out.
ESPNcricinfo has learned that N Srinivasan, if he succeeds in extending
his tenure as BCCI president for another year, will meet the CSA
president Chris Nenzani at the ICC board meeting in London on October 16
and 17 to finalise the tour.
The itinerary, as announced by CSA in July, contained three Tests, seven
ODIs and two Twenty20s but India objected to it, saying it was without
their consultation. They have since shortened the window for the tour,
which was due to begin on November 18 and end on January 19 from 60 days
to around 40 by a scheduling a home series against West Indies and
bringing forward their tour to New Zealand.
The time left may allow for the ICC minimum requirement of two Tests and
three ODIs but the Dubai meeting gave no hint of that. Lorgat remains
hopeful a solution will be found.
"I am happy to say that we had a constructive meeting and I would like
to thank Sanjay for his friendliness and support in trying to find a way
forward," Lorgat said. "After listening to Sanjay, it is clear that we
will now have to wait for the BCCI's AGM to be completed before any
tour schedule can be confirmed."
The BCCI's annual meeting could prove decisive in the finalisation of
the tour dates, because it will determine the shape of the
organisation's leadership. It is widely expected Srinivasan will be
re-elected.
Srinivasan and Lorgat have a history of bitterness: Srinivasan requested
an investigation into Lorgat by the ICC ethics committee, and they
clashed over India's request for a tax documents during the 2011 World
Cup.
No communication between the two boards was held between then and the
Dubai meeting. What has come out of the BCCI is other fixtures - home
Tests against West Indies
to mark Sachin Tendulkar's 200th Test and an ODI against New Zealand
that is due to played on the last day of the Wanderers Test between
India and South Africa. There is also talk of a tri-series between India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan due for late November.
CSA have not commented either and as far as their affiliates are
concerned, the schedule as announced, still stands. Even their
ticket-selling partner, Ticketpros, has the fixtures listed as CSA
publicised them although they can only be purchased from October 28.
The relationship between CSA and the BCCI is considered to be at at
all-time low but Lorgat's statement seemed to suggest all is well. "It
is key for all of us to make sure that the good relationship between our
respective Boards is maintained and, in fact, strengthened and that we
also honour the proud history between our two countries," he said. "Our
Board Presidents are also in discussion and we will now arrange for them
to meet soon after the BCCI AGM."
With inputs from Nagraj Gollapudi
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent
Feeds: Firdose Moonda
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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