MUMBAI, Aug 27: Indian Cricket Board wants to utilise the window in international calendar created by postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy to prepare for “very important” home Test series against Australia, Niranjan Shah, BCCI secretary said.

He said India, as of now, had no plan to participate in any international event during that period —- Sept 12 to 28.

BCCI wanted its top players to play in domestic tournaments and participate in a preparatory camp ahead of four-Test series against Australia starting in Bangalore on Oct 9.

Shah said the board expected members of Indian team to be involved in season opening Irani Trophy match between Ranji Trophy champions Delhi and Rest of India which has been advanced to Sept 24.

Media reports in Pakistan said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was hoping to be part of a quadrangular one-day tournament in South Africa, which would also involve hosts, Sri Lanka and either India or Australia. However, Shah said BCCI had no plans to participate in any such event.

“There are no plans to take part in any international event during that period. We would like to use that time to get our best players to play in domestic cricket and prepare in best possible manner for very important series against Australia.

“What we are planning at this stage is to organise a comprehensive camp for our players ahead of that series.

“We are also keen to have Mohammad Nissar Trophy on Sept 15 in Delhi, between domestic champions of India and Pakistan too. There is also important series (two Tests) between India ‘A’ & Australia ‘A’ starting in Bangalore on Sept 3. We would like to focus on these events, and I don’t think anything else is possible,” Shah said.

India ‘A’ will also participate in one-day tri-series at home against Australia ‘A’ & New Zealand ‘A’ from Sept 15 to 22, and later take on New Zealand in two unofficial Tests from Sept 28 to Oct 6.

Meanwhile, Niranjan Shah said the Australia series would begin on the scheduled date.

“There is no change in the itinerary. Bangalore will host the first Test.” India’s four-match series against world champions Australia opens in Bangalore from Oct 9-13.

The remaining Tests will be played in Mohali, New Delhi and Nagpur.—Agencies MUMBAI, Aug 27: Indian Cricket Board wants to utilise the window in international calendar created by postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy to prepare for “very important” home Test series against Australia, Niranjan Shah, BCCI secretary said.

He said India, as of now, had no plan to participate in any international event during that period —- Sept 12 to 28.

BCCI wanted its top players to play in domestic tournaments and participate in a preparatory camp ahead of four-Test series against Australia starting in Bangalore on Oct 9.

Shah said the board expected members of Indian team to be involved in season opening Irani Trophy match between Ranji Trophy champions Delhi and Rest of India which has been advanced to Sept 24.

Media reports in Pakistan said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was hoping to be part of a quadrangular one-day tournament in South Africa, which would also involve hosts, Sri Lanka and either India or Australia. However, Shah said BCCI had no plans to participate in any such event.

“There are no plans to take part in any international event during that period. We would like to use that time to get our best players to play in domestic cricket and prepare in best possible manner for very important series against Australia.

“What we are planning at this stage is to organise a comprehensive camp for our players ahead of that series.

“We are also keen to have Mohammad Nissar Trophy on Sept 15 in Delhi, between domestic champions of India and Pakistan too. There is also important series (two Tests) between India ‘A’ & Australia ‘A’ starting in Bangalore on Sept 3. We would like to focus on these events, and I don’t think anything else is possible,” Shah said.

India ‘A’ will also participate in one-day tri-series at home against Australia ‘A’ & New Zealand ‘A’ from Sept 15 to 22, and later take on New Zealand in two unofficial Tests from Sept 28 to Oct 6.

Meanwhile, Niranjan Shah said the Australia series would begin on the scheduled date.

“There is no change in the itinerary. Bangalore will host the first Test.” India’s four-match series against world champions Australia opens in Bangalore from Oct 9-13.

The remaining Tests will be played in Mohali, New Delhi and Nagpur.—Agencies