Tour dates announced

South Africa will play five one-day internationals against India over the space of a fortnight when they tour the subcontinent in November. The abbreviated tour is a result of their inability to fit in ODIs on their visit to India last year when they play two Tests before hurrying back home to entertain England.

The matches will be played on November 17, 20, 23, 26 and 29 and will be South Africa's final preparation before they embark on that most difficult of assignments, a tour of Australia.

"We owe India five ODIs in terms of the ICC schedule," said Gerald Majola, the chief executive of the United Cricket Board. "We had no option but to play these matches in November because of the ICC Super Series blocking other periods."