Bangalore and Nagpur get Australia Tests again

Australia are scheduled to arrive in India for a four-Test series on September 29, one day after the Champions Trophy final in Lahore. If they fail to make it past the group stage of the Champions Trophy, Australia will get a ten-day break before their only tour match in India between October 2 and 5.

Bangalore will host the first Test, as it did when Australia visited India in 2004-05. After a three-day gap the teams travel to Mohali, which will stage its first Test since England toured in 2006, for the second match between October 13 and 17.

A week later the sides will meet in Delhi for the third Test followed by the final one in Nagpur, where Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy last time round, from November 5 to 9. Australia are the current holders of the trophy after they won their home series 2-1 in December and January.

James Sutherland, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, said the games in India would be particularly interesting after the tight series in Australia, which also featured several controversial moments. "The rivalry between Australia and India has developed into one of the most captivating contests in world cricket," Sutherland said.

"The 2007-08 series was highlighted by dramatic, brilliant cricket which added another chapter to the passionate competition between the world's two best Test playing nations. I'm sure all cricket lovers in Australia and India are awaiting the 2008 series with great anticipation."

Fixtures
October 2-5 - Tour match
October 9-13 - 1st Test, Bangalore
October 17-21 - 2nd Test, Mohali
October 28-Novermber 1 - 3rd Test, Delhi
November 5-9 - 4th Test, Nagpur