Indian team to practice at Johannesburg from Sept 24: Lele

The Indian cricket team for South Africa would leave on September 24 and practice at Johannesburg for five days before its first tour game against South Africa Country Districts on October 1.

Cricket Board secretary Jaywant Lele told PTI over phone from Baroda today that this would help the team in acclimatising themselves to the conditions in South Africa.

"During my visit to Colombo to witness the third Test match between India and Sri Lanka, I spoke to the coach John Wright, physio Andrew Leipus and selection committee chairman Chandu Borde and decided to send the team early," he said.

"All of us decided that it will be better to have practice in South Africa than conduct a conditioning camp at home," Lele said. The Indian team will be picked here on September 7 for the 66-day tour where they will play a triangular one-day series, with Kenya as the third team, and three Tests against South Africa.

Mail Cricket Editor