BCCI keen on regular India-Australia contests

	Niranjan Shah will push for more matches between India and Australia when he meets Cricket Australia officials on the sidelines of an ICC meet in Kuala Lumpur © AFP

Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, has said the board is considering adding more matches between India and Australia into the ICC's Future Tour Programme to increase the frequency of contests between the two sides.

"I had a discussion with Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland. Both of us have recognised that the India-Australia series should be played frequently. This has to be incorporated in the Future Tours Programme," Shah said in an interview to the Hindu. "It will bring a new dimension to India-Australia cricket and it will also become a big commercial success.

"But the BCCI as a whole has to take a decision on this. I will be talking to Cricket Australia officials at the ICC Chief Executive Committee at Kuala Lumpur from February 17 to 20."

Meanwhile, Shah assuaged fears over spectator behaviour when Australia tour India in October. "The BCCI will ensure that there will be no trouble from spectators. The Indian public admire the Australians for the way they play the game and appreciate their top-class performances which all other countries want to emulate."

However, he also wanted the Australian side to maintain their conduct. "But I hope the Australian players, many of whom are going to play in the IPL on a regular basis, show aggression in their game, but give up sledging."

Shah said the racism issue "was taken too far by some of the Australian players", adding that the "ICC must review the Code of Conduct for players and it should try to eradicate sledging."

Talking about the behaviour of the younger players in India's squad, Shah said: "The players must learn from seniors like Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly who have never been dragged into such controversies. That's why the Indian players have always been respected for their behaviour.

"I have in fact issued a stern warning to Sreesanth to control his emotions and aggression on the field, citing the example of the senior players. Even after this episode, I have advised the players not to get into any form of sledging and focus on the remaining part of the series."