NEW DELHI, July 15: India will not alter the schedule of England’s cricket tour later this year despite protests from the visitors about being made to play in smaller venues, an official said on Tuesday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday it was upset that India’s regular Test venues like Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Mohali were not given matches during the six-week tour.

India want the two Tests in December to be played in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, while the seven preceding one-dayers were spread across various centres like Rajkot, Guwahati, Cuttack and Jamshedpur.

An ECB statement issued on Monday said: “ECB are disappointed that, despite their representations, the itinerary doesn’t offer the thousands of supporters who follow the England team abroad the opportunity to experience more of the great cricket grounds of India.

England tour of India:

Nov 6: England arrive in Mumbai

Nov 9: One-day warm-up match (Mumbai).

Nov 11: One-day warm-up match (Mumbai).

Nov 14: First ODI (Rajkot).

Nov 17: Second ODI (Indore).

Nov 20: Third ODI (Kanpur).

Nov 23: Fourth ODI (Jamshedpur).

Nov 26: Fifth ODI (Cuttack).

Nov 29: Sixth ODI (Guwahati).

Dec 2: Seventh ODI (Delhi).

Dec 5-7: Warm-up match (Baroda).

Dec 11-15: First Test (Ahmedabad).

Dec 19-23: Second Test (Mumbai).—AFP