India, South Africa closer to tour agreement

Johannesburg: South Africa and India are believed to be close to an agreement on a schedule for a tour of South Africa in January and February.

According to the ESPN Cricinfo website, it is expected that the first of a possible four Test matches will start on January 5 or 6, three or four days later than South Africa’s traditional preferred start on the January 2 holiday.

Cricket South Africa communications manager Altaaf Kazi confirmed that negotiations were advanced. "We are engaging with them and are planning for a full tour," he said.

The original plan was for four Tests, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals. AFP