Bengal plan overseas tours ahead of Ranji season

Bengal's pre-Ranji Trophy season plans include touring Kenya, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, according to Saradindu Pal, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary, and Bharat Arun, the recently appointed coach.

"We will take a decision on the final destinations after considering all aspects, including the weather, expenses and the likely opposition," Pal told PTI. "If our plans materialise, we will skip the season-opening domestic tournaments."

These matches would take place in the first half of September to get in quality practice for the Bengal team ahead of the domestic season. The tour details, Pal said, would be finalised after the CAB's elections on July 28.

Until last year Bengal had been playing tournaments such as the Buchi Babu in Chennai to give their players match practice before the Ranji Trophy. Asked about Bengal's participation in such pre-season events, Arun, a former Test cricketer, told IANS: "Let's see what kind of preparations we have made. And if they are a good means for us to attain our goals why not? The sessions have been fruitful. I am happy at the way we are reacting to each other."

Arun, a prominent member of Tamil Nadu's victorious Ranji Trophy side in 1987-88, said that he planned to organise matches against Bangladesh A and Sri Lanka A. 'It would be great if we could play a few practice matches against the two countries. It would be a good way to prepare the team for the season."