COLOMBO, June 27: The Sri Lankan cricket board said on Friday it had invited India to join a cricket series in November to turn the tournament into a three-nation event.

England is due in Sri Lanka in November for three tests and three limited-overs internationals and the cricket board also wants India involved to extend the limited-overs segment.

“Yes, we have made such a request,” of India, Anura Tennekoon, the chief executive of the Sri Lankan cricket board, said.

The local board was expecting a response from India early next month.

“Let us see if India can make it, from our side we would like to have them here,” Tennekoon said.

If India decide to come, they will need to adjust dates of the home series against New Zealand and a limited-overs series involving Australia.

India are also due to travel to Australia for a Test series in December.

Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan cricket board said it would amend the schedule for England’s cricket tour.

The reason given at that time was the need to alter some of the venues, although it could have been designed to accommodate India in the series.

The Sri Lankan cricket board is going through a transition under new management following elections earlier this month. The board is trying to aggressively market more cricket matches at home, where cricket is the top game.

However, India have reportedly declined the offer to play in the triangular series.

S.K. Nair, the BCCI secretary, cited India’s packed schedule as the reason for declining the offer. “With India leaving for the Australian tour in November, there is no possibility of participating in any such series.

He however said that the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team would be in India in November. “This A team tour is in all likelihood to be confirmed at our Working Committee meeting in the beginning of July.”—APP/AP