S Africa confirms hosting India in Nov

Johannesburg, June 10 (UNI) South Africa today confirmed hosting India in November this year as the two countries play three Tests and five ODIs during the two-month long schedule.

The South African board also announced the 2006-07 international fixtures programme involving internal and external tours by the Proteas beginning next month.

India, who arrive in South Africa in mid November, will play a five One-day internationals series that gets under way on November 19 at Centurion Park.

While the first match of the three-Test series is set to take place from December 15-19 at the Wanderers, Johannesburg, UCB CEO Gerald Majola announced today.

In the run up to the World Cup next year the Proteas have come up with a packed schedule. The season begins with a tour to Sri Lanka in July, the ICC Champions Trophy in India in October, tours by India and Pakistan in November and January respectively, and ending with the World Cup in the West Indies in March.

''The Proteas will be looking to consolidate their ODI position in the top two with Australia, and to climb further up the Test ladder,'' Majola said.

Soon after hosting India, South Africa will take on Pakistan on home turf early next year.

For the World Cup in the West Indies in March, South Africa have been drawn in group A alongside Australia, Scotland and the Netherlands.

India's tour of S Africa (schedule): 16-11-2006 D/N one-day Match SAfrica 'A' vs India at Willowmoore Park Benoni 19-11-2006 1st ODI S Africa vs India at Centurion Park 22-11-2006 2nd ODI S Africa vs India at Kingsmead, Durban 26-11-2006 3rd ODI S Africa vs India at Newlands, Cape Town 29-11-2006 4th ODI S Africa vs India at St George's, Port Elizabeth 03-12-2006 5th ODI S Arica vs India at Wanderers, Johannesburg 07 to 10 Dec four-day Match South Africa 'A' vs India in Potchefstroom 15 to 19 Dec 1st Test S Africa vs India at Wanderers 26 to 30 Dec 2nd Test S Africa vs India Kingsmead 02 - 06 Jan 3rd Test S Africa vs India Newlands, Cape Town UNI XC DH PDS PM1617