Now, BCCI objects to dates of South Africa series

On Monday, Cricket South Africa announced a bumper programme of home international matches for the 2013/14 season against India and Australia. But it seems like they forgot to tell the BCCI about it. The India tour is scheduled to begin on 18 November and concludes with the third Test match at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium from 15 to 19 January. “India are the current undisputed champions of 50 overs cricket and it was not that long ago that they briefly held the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket as well," said CSA Acting CEO Naasei Appiah. “The Indian players have always been very popular in South Africa and their maestro, Sachin Tendulkar, has currently played 198 Test matches. It would be wonderful for his 200th Test match to be in front of a packed New Year’s crowd at Sahara Park Newlands.” [caption id=“attachment_941803” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Dalmiya and Co may take up the issue with CSA. Getty Images[/caption] “The last time he played a Test match there his battle with Dale Steyn thrilled a global audience. But according to a report in the Mumbai Mirror, the BCCI isn’t too happy with the schedule and are likely to take up the issue with CSA at the earliest. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said the Board was not aware of the dates. “I’ve not gone through the entire itinerary but they are not right. I will consult with the president before talking to CSA,” Patel told Mumbai Mirror. CSA officials refused to comment on the issue. The gap between the second Test, which ends on 6 January, and the third Test, which begins on 15 January, is quite long and the BCCI may look to shorten the break. The objection may be related to India’s tour of New Zealand which is tentatively scheduled to begin on January 25. INDIA TOUR (as originally scheduled) 18 November: T20 Tour match, India v SA Invitation XI, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom (Day/Night) 21 November: 1st KFC T20 International, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (Day/Night) 24 November: 2nd KFC T20 International, Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town (Day) 27 November: 1st Momentum ODI, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban (Day/Night) 30 November: 2nd Momentum ODI, Axxess St. George’s, Port Elizabeth (Day) 3 December: 3rd Momentum ODI, Buffalo Park, East London (Day/Night) 6 December: 4th Momentum ODI, SuperSport Park, Centurion (Day/Night) 8 December: 5th Momentum ODI, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (Day) 12 December: 6th Momentum ODI, Chevrolet Park, Bloemfontein (Day/Night) 15 December: 7th Momentum ODI, Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town (Day) 18-19 December: India v SA Invitation XI, Boland Park, Paarl 22-23 December: India v SA Invitation XI, The Oval, Pietermaritzburg 26-30 December: 1st Sunfoil Test match, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban 2-6 January: 2nd Sunfoil Test match, Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town 15-19 January: 3rd Sunfoil Test match, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg