CHENNAI, March 25: England will play just two Tests instead of three on their tour of India later this year, the Indian cricket board announced on Tuesday.

The tour will also feature seven One-day Internationals, leaving no time for a third Test since the England squad wanted to return home before Christmas, board officials said.

The original itinerary had pencilled in three Tests, but moves to cut off two one-dayers to accommodate a third Test were reportedly shot down by the Indian authorities.

England will arrive in India in early November, soon after the hosts end a four-Test series against world champions Australia.

The dates and venues for the England matches will be announced later, Indian official N. Srinivasan told reporters after a board meeting here.—AFP