NEW DELHI, Aug 8: The Indian cricket board on Friday changed the itinerary of the four-Test home series against Australia later this year owing to a clash of dates with a key festival.

The third Test, which was originally slated to begin here on Oct 28, will now start a day later as it coincided with the main Hindu festival of Diwali.

“The third Test was to begin on Oct 28 which is when Diwali will be celebrated all over the country,” board secretary Niranjan Shah said. “It has therefore been decided to commence the match on Oct 29 instead. The fourth Test in Nagpur will consequently begin on Nov 6.”

The Australians will arrive on Sept 29 and play a four-day practice match ahead of the first Test in Bangalore from Oct 9.

Schedule:

Oct 2-5: Practice match (venue to be named).

Oct 9-13: First Test, Bangalore.

Oct 17-21: Second Test, Mohali.

Oct 29-Nov 2: Third Test, New Delhi.

Nov 6-10: Fourth Test, Nagpur.—AFP