The Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have clashed over the scheduling of India's upcoming tour of South Africa in November this year. The tour includes two T20, seven one-day internationals and three test matches.
"We have written to CSA mentioning that while we have been discussing the tour itinerary, nothing had been agreed upon (before they announced the schedule). The discussions are on and a consensual decision will come soon," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told ESPNcricinfo.
With India's cricket calendar filled with commitments across the world, the main issue of contention is the eight-day break between the second and third test matches.
"We have some concerns over the gap between the last two Tests of the three-match series," said BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya. "We have informed this to our South African counterpart (CSA) and the two boards are trying very amicably to sort out the matter. The new schedule will be announced soon."
The CSA, however, is yet to receive any formal complaint.
"If the BCCI has any concerns they can raise them with us and we will sort them out amicably as we have always done in the past," said CSA media consultant Michael Owen Smith.
With India committed to a tour in New Zealand immediately following South Africa, the BCCI feels that if the gap between second and third tests were reduced to three days, it would give their team more time to prepare for their series against the Black Caps.
The BCCI is also believed to have issues with the number of games, specifically the seven one-day internationals.
South African organisers are using the India tour to enhance the commercial appeal of cricket in their country. Attempts are being made at replicating the test match experience at Lords, primarily through the return of the boxing-day test scheduled for 26 December in Durban.
With India providing a significant draw for cricket fans, it is hoped that the return of the boxing-day test can help the dwindling crowd situation at Kingsmead (Durban cricket stadium) in recent times.
