India invite CSA for tour talks

The BCCI has invited Cricket South Africa president, Chris Nenzani, for discussions on the proposed bilateral series, whose details are yet to be agreed upon and finalised.

"I have formally invited Mr Nenzani to come down to India and discuss the nitty-gritty of the series," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said. "The date and venue will be finalised once all formalities are completed."

Patel, however, made it clear that the BCCI had not invited CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat, whose appointment is believed to have led to the breakdown of relations between the two boards. Lorgat and Patel had met on the sidelines of the ICC chief executives' committee meeting in Dubai last month, but had failed to reach a consensus over itinerary.

Though an agreement has been elusive so far, Patel was confident the tour would take place. "We are very positive about the tour and don't see any reason to take the extreme step."

He elaborated on what the BCCI's grouse with the schedule announced by CSA was. "All that we are aggrieved about is the fact that we were taken for granted and the itinerary was announced unilaterally. Besides, our priority is the Board's and our players' interests. My boys are not machines, they need a break. Who are you (CSA) to tell them they should be on the road for more than three-four months?"