The "longstanding deadlock over India's tour of South Africa has come to an end after the two boards came to a 'mutual agreement' during the meeting" between Board of Control for Cricket in India President N. Srinivasan and Cricket South Africa CEO Chris Nenzani, according to Sanjeeb Mukherjea of CNN. After "hard bargaining," India has "agreed in principle to a tour comprising two Tests and three ODIs." CSA, however, has proposed a third Test, which "the BCCI is yet to decide upon." The official announcement giving the tour "a green signal will be made soon by the both sides." Sources said that "CSA is likely to exclude its CEO Haroon Lorgat from all matters involving BCCI." Lorgat's appointment was "reportedly the bone of contention behind BCCI's reservations on going ahead with the tour" (CNN, 10/13). In Mumbai, Vijay Tagore reported the meeting between BCCI and CSA execs took place Saturday. The two sides were "tight-lipped over the outcome and the nature of their negotiations but it can be confirmed that India will be touring South Africa in December." The BCCI is "comfortable with two Tests and three ODIs, something that can constitute as a bilateral series" in the ICC's parlance. The series will take place Dec. 1 (MUMBAI MIRROR, 10/13).
CSA BANKING ON FULL TOUR: The INDEPENDENT ONLINE reported CSA may "currently be in a relatively healthy financial state, but for that to continue they're heavily dependent on India undertaking a full tour here this summer." CSA announced a loss of R133M ($13M) for the financial year that ended April 30. New Zealand and Pakistan, which toured "here last summer," are not teams deemed "sexy" enough by int'l TV stations, "hence the loss." This summer, "though, sees India and Australia tour, and next year's financial statements will hopefully reflect a profit." CSA draws the "majority of its income from broadcast rights, especially with international broadcasters." This year's income was just more than R159M ($16M), down from '12, when it "raked in" more than R276M "on the back of a season" that included a shortened tour by Australia (INDEPENDENT ONLINE, 10/13).
