Port-of-Spain: Amid concerns about player burnout, the BCCI and the West Indies Cricket Board have decided to play an unscheduled one-day International series in the US and Canada later this year.

The series would be organised almost immediately after India complete a five-match ODI and a four-Test tour of the Caribbean in early July and would be outside the Future Tours Programme unveiled by the ICC earlier this week.

The matches would form a part of a bilateral agreement reached between the two Boards at the recent ICC meeting in Dubai, a West Indies Cricket Board statement said.

The WICB revealed the deal was signed between its president Ken Gordon and BCCI representative I.S. Bindra on April 29.

[The Telegraph had reported on May 1 that WICB supported Asia’s intent to host the 2011 World Cup after receiving a written undertaking that Asia would help generate revenue via fund-raisers in North America.]

Surprisingly, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in Mumbai the series was yet to be finalised. Shah said the tournament would be given the final seal of approval when it meets WICB officials in June.

WICB, on its part, said the project would be funded by the BCCI which would be repaid later. “Because of current financial difficulties, India will fund this project on the understanding that it will be repaid out of the West Indies’ share of the profits of the series,” the statement said.

“This is the first of a number of joint projects which include the opening of the multi-complex stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the aggressive expansion of cricket in North America.

“The two boards have agreed to work together to develop cricket in their respective countries or in their spheres of special interest ? North America,” the release said.

“This relationship will be based on mutual respect and the natural ties which have developed.”