Aussie tour to possibly include Tests

http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/458430.html

BCCI requests Australia for Tests

Cricinfo staff

May 4, 2010

In its quest to maintain India's No.1 Test ranking the BCCI has sent a proposal to Cricket Australia to convert the seven-match ODI series in October to two Tests and three ODIs. India had climbed to the top spot in 2009, after drubbing Sri Lanka 2-0 at home, and then retained the ranking by fighting back to level the two-Test series against South Africa in February.

"We've got an open mind on it but it's being discussed and that could be the road down which we will go," a CA spokesman told the Australian on Tuesday.

This is not the first time the Indian board has intervened to change the original itinerary of a proposed tour. Earlier this year Cricket South Africa had agreed to a compressed tour of two Tests and three ODIs, replacing the original five-match ODI series. India's change of mind came in the wake of ascending to the No.1 Test ranking for the first time, and they were eager to preserve it.

According to the ICC's Future Tours Programme, India were scheduled to play only a handful of Tests in 2010, an aberration the BCCI is desperate to correct. So far this year, India have played four Tests but are lined up to play three in Sri Lanka in July, and then another three at home against New Zealand at the end of the year.

Asked if the BCCI had indeed formally requested the Australian board, N Srinivasan, the Indian board's secretary did not deny or confirm the news, saying he would be issuing a press release soon on the matter. CA were more forthright and positive about the development.

"One of the thoughts going through our heads is that we've got an Ashes series coming up and all we've got between now and then is two Tests against Pakistan in England during July," the spokesman said. Australia host England in November and are keen to avenge the 2009 Ashes defeat.

"Playing Tests in India in October may not be a bad idea because it gives us another chance to have another reasonably contemporary Test experience under the belt."

Nice.

Two tests tours are the future...

Still, better than endless ODI's....

JKLever wrote:Still, better than endless ODI's....

I could live with the odd ODI only tour if when tests are played then they are a proper series. Two test series becoming the norm is a worry.

gotta agree with vilkrang. its obviously good that we get a couple of tests but only if they aren't a substitute for the proper scheduled series (held every 4 years)

I would normally be aghast at the idea of Australia playing India in a two-Test series, but I think that might be a better preparation for the Ashes than a 7ODI series.

this is out of the ftp. aus had a test only tour of india in 2008 and is slated to return for 4 tests minimum in 2012. this tour was changed since india was not slated to play too many tests this year. from 6 tests as per ftp we are now going to end the year with 13 tests

It would be simpler if the BCCorIab got the ICC to appoint Karti as head of Ratings ...then they could go back to playing endless JAMODIs and still be the Number One Test nation in the World

I hope we turn down this request

That would cue a new round of Bannie sookin' and racial slurs.

it's a bullshit request . . .

It's Australia's role to encourage developing Test nations to play more Tests though innit?

the acb doesnt really have much of an option if the bcci asks them

bullshit

TO in arrogant Indian shocker.

you'll see this tour confirmed by the acb. they wont say no, especially now that they are financially tied in to the champions league

and they are coming to india anyways, its hardly going out of the way

Surely the guardians of test cricket wouldn't turn down an opportunity to play some tests?

of course they would. if it gives them an opportunity to be petty and small-dicked

Hopefully the ACB will counter-offer with a 'ditch the ODIs completely and play 3 Tests'; that would be 'ace'.

Is it impossible to squeeze in a third test?

Two-test series are very unsatisfying - they're all foreplay and no sex.

Just shows you that India being #1 is good for test cricket.

no point wrecking ourselves in some crap Test series before the Ashes.

Oh dear, the subis have started gibbering on like a bunch of farkin monkeys already . . .

As it's an 'extra' event, I'd prefer a couple of tests to the ODIs. Provided they're on 'result' pitches, not draw-producing roads. Of course, it would be nice to see the proposed dates before agreeing.