Sharjah Tourney from March 22

The Indian team has been in the thick of action for some months now during the current hectic season. But as is the trend these days, there will be no respite for the side for at least for the next nine weeks. Hardly will a tired and dispirited team be back from Australia when the two Test series against South Africa will be played in this country, followed by five one internationals. The last of the internationals will be played on March 19 and the Indians will leave the next day for Sharjah to take part in the tri series which commences on March 22.

The Sharjah based Cricketers Benefit Fund Series. besides popularising the game in the gulf, has done yeoman service to cricketers, past and present by presenting handsome purses. This time from India, the beneficaries will be Chandu Borde, the current national selection committee chairman, former all rounder Bapu Nadkarni and former left arm spinner Maninder Singh. They will be awarded $35,000 each by the CBFS during the tournament.