India to play in tri-nation T20 series next year

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) India, Australia and South Africa will play the first ever Twenty20 'super series' next year but the tournament still faces several hurdles such as finding a window in an already crowded international calendar.

''It will be somewhat similar to the Tri-Nations rugby series,'' Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Gerald Majola was quoted as saying in cricinfo.

''It will be happening next year, and the matches will be held in South Africa and Australia,'' Majola added.

Majola said the proposed Twenty20 series - which was finalised during discussions in Dubai recently on the sidelines of the ICC meeting of chief executives - will have a distinct identity of its own.

''At this point of time, we are confident that it will take place but we haven't finalised venues, details of the prize money or sponsorship,'' he said.

The tournament organisers are also negotiating the ICC ruling that allows a maximum of seven Twenty20 matches a year per country.

The international calendar for next year is already packed with the Ashes and the World Twenty20 in England. These will be followed by the Champions Twenty20 League, and a one-day series between India and Australia. Space is yet to be found for the postponed Champions Trophy as well.

UNI RAR RKM HT1635