Cricket

No international cricket instead of Champions Trophy: BCCI

The BCCI has ruled out the possibility of playing an international ODI series in either Pakistan or South Africa in place of the Champions Trophy in the gap created in the international calendar created by the postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy. Instead they want to prepare for the “very important” home Test series against Australia, Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said.

Shah said India, as of now, had no plan to participate in any international event during that period - September 12 to 28. The board wanted its top players playing in key domestic tournaments and participating in a preparatory camp ahead of the four-Test series against Australia starting in Bangalore on October 9.

Shah said the BCCI expected members of the Indian team to be involved in the season-opening Irani Trophy match - between Ranji Trophy champions Delhi and Rest of India - which has been advanced to September 24 due to the test series.

“The match will feature all the probables for the Test series against Australia,” Shah said.

Tags: bcci, Champions Trophy, icc, icc champions trophy, irani trophy, Niranjan Shah, pakistan, South Africa