Journalism of Courage
The Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI have planned a series of India A tours for the fringe players to acclimatise to foreign conditions before the senior team tours abroad. India A will leave for South Africa on August 4 to play a tri-series featuring Australia A and later two four-day games against a South Africa A side. The A tour is being looked at as a practice tour for young players who might board the flight with the senior India side later this year when they tour South Africa for a Test series.
The BCCI is also in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board ECB for an India A tour in June 2014,just before India arrives in England in July. Sources in the board told The Indian Express that the BCCI8217;s cricket operations manager Suru Nayak is in talks with John Carr,director of operations,ECB,to have an India A tour next year after the IPL.
The Indian team will be touring with a young side post the retirement of stalwarts like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. The BCCI has always been criticised for lack of planning especially when their team flies abroad. 8220;Generally,before every away Test series,India used to play one or two practice games. Now,with an A tour,these boys will have no excuse of being new to the conditions. They will have a fair idea when they travel with the Indian team,8221; the source added.
The BCCI though has made it clear that they won8217;t have any A tours during India8217;s domestic season while henceforth all off-seasons will be packed with tours,including trips for the under-19 team.
The New Zealand A team is scheduled to tour India in September followed by West Indies A later on. The latter series may clash with the Champions League T20.
8220;Last year we had India A tour to New Zealand and West Indies and now they will travel here. However,West Indies A tour will clash with CL T20. Just after India A return from South Africa trip,we will play with NZ A side and later with West Indies A,8221; source added.
