BCCI, CSA in 'fruitful' discussions

The meeting between the BCCI and CSA in Mumbai did not end the impasse over India's tour to South Africa at the end of the year, but it proved a "fruitful" discussion for both parties.

It is understood that the BCCI president N Srinivasan and secretary Sanjay Patel explained the contentious issues to CSA president Chris Nenzani and lead independent director Norman Arendse, leaving the ball in South Africa's court. Nenzani said he would revert to the BCCI in a day or two.

"It was a very cordial meeting and it went off well," Patel said. "We are very hopeful that everything will work out nicely."

Though the outcome may seem like the continuation of the stalemate, the boards were interpreting it as the first step towards ending the impasse that began in July. An official announcement about India's tour of South Africa is expected to be made next week.

Though neither the BCCI nor CSA detailed the issues, the two major contentious points are the tour itinerary and the acrimonious relationship between the Indian board and the CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

In all likelihood, India will not play more than two Tests and three ODIs in South Africa; CSA's original itinerary comprised two Twenty20s, three Tests and seven ODIs. It will be up to the South African board to accept such a truncated itinerary because a shortened tour will have huge financial implications for CSA, which has already suffered a loss in the previous financial year.

After its annual general meeting in Johannesburg in Nenzazi's absence, CSA announced a loss for 2012-13. It has reserves of R300 million and has forecast a net profit of R286 million for the next year cycle ending in April. However, that forecast is based on television revenue from a full India tour, which is unlikely to happen. CSA's reserves are depleted by visits by teams other than India, Australia and England because there is no profit made from those series.