India to omit top players for NZ
Saturday, 23 October 2010
NEW DELHI, Oct 22 (AFP): India will leave out senior players from the one-day series against New Zealand starting next month to prepare them for the tough tour of South Africa, an official said on Friday.
New Zealand are due to play three Tests in India from November 4 to 24, followed by five one-day internationals from November 28 to December 10.
The last one-dayer will end just six days before India begin a three-Test series in South Africa from December 16.
The Indian board plans to send the top Test stars, possibly even skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, to South Africa soon after the New Zealand Test matches end to get acclimatised to the conditions.
Board official Ratnakar Shetty said the request to send players early to South Africa had come from coach Gary Kirsten, a former Proteas player.
"The plan now is to send some of the Test players early. The team management and the coach expressed the desire that there is a need for acclimatisation in South Africa," said Shetty."
New Zealand are due to play three Tests in India from November 4 to 24, followed by five one-day internationals from November 28 to December 10.
The last one-dayer will end just six days before India begin a three-Test series in South Africa from December 16.
The Indian board plans to send the top Test stars, possibly even skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, to South Africa soon after the New Zealand Test matches end to get acclimatised to the conditions.
Board official Ratnakar Shetty said the request to send players early to South Africa had come from coach Gary Kirsten, a former Proteas player.
"The plan now is to send some of the Test players early. The team management and the coach expressed the desire that there is a need for acclimatisation in South Africa," said Shetty."