South Africa to play two Tests in India

After all the conflicting reports and denials of the past few weeks, India and South Africa have finally come to an agreement on the itinerary for South Africa's tour later this year. The hectic international schedule has forced the boards to split the series into two - with the seven one-day internationals to be played next year when South Africa are on their way to Australia.

There will be two Tests and a warm-up game, to be played between November 4 and 30 this year. A report from the Press Trust of India quoted Ray Mali, the president of the South African board, as saying, "It took only three minutes for me to sort out the matter with Jagmohan Dalmiya, the Indian cricket board chief. We value the friendship between India and South Africa and so we decided to split the two series."

Mali and Dalmiya had discussions in Dubai, where they were part of the meeting arranged to find a solution to the Zimbabwe crisis. "The whole issue was settled amicably and the reports that we were unhappy were exaggerated," said Mali. "It is India who proposed that South Africa should return to international cricket and we remember that."

India now face the onerous task of playing six Tests against the two top-ranked sides in Test cricket over the space of just two months, with Australia scheduled to come over for four Tests in October-November.