India want fewer Tests ahead of World Cup
India are likely to play shorter Test series against West Indies and New Zealand later this year to better prepare for the 2003 World Cup.
West Indies were expected to play five Tests and as many one one-dayers in India from October 1 to November 24 but board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya said on Thursday that India wanted only three Tests and seven one-dayers.
"According to our original agreement with West Indies, we were supposed to play five Tests and five one-day matches," Dalmiya told reporters after a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) working committee meeting.
"But since the World Cup is approaching, we will have no time to prepare. Therefore we have requested West Indies that we will play three Tests and seven one-dayers," he added.
India played five Tests and five one-day internationals in West Indies recently and international cricket series are normally played on a reciprocal basis.
Dalmiya said the board had also asked New Zealand to host two Tests and seven one-dayers, instead of three and five, when India tour in December.
New Zealand had played three Tests and five one-day matches in India in the 1999-2000 season.
The World Cup will be held in South Africa between February and March next year.
2003 World cup schedule
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