Will Rahul Dravid be in Australia this September?

Calcutta: Cricket Australia (CA) has offered three venues for an ‘off-shore’ ODI face-off featuring India and the West Indies, in September. Eventually, we could even see a tri-series, with world champions Australia being the third team.

An exciting build-up to the October 15-November 5 Champions Trophy, therefore, is on the cards. That tournament is being hosted by India.

Speaking on Tuesday, former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Inderjit Singh Bindra told The Telegraph: “We’ve been looking at venues for a bilateral (three-match) series against the West Indies? With Australia sending a proposal, we could instead have a tri-series there?”

He added: “As there’s little time, the CA offer will be discussed by the marketing committee which meets in New Delhi on Thursday?”

Bindra has a position of pre-eminence in the present dispensation and is handling ‘off-shore’ negotiations.

The marketing men have to come into the picture as the ODIs are largely meant to add to the BCCI’s millions and help the cash-strapped West Indies Cricket Board.

According to Bindra, CA is willing to make available the Gabba (Brisbane), the Marrara Cricket Ground (Darwin) and the WACA Ground (Perth).

“We’re looking at the period between September 12-23? That’s the window? Any movement forward, though, is only going to be after the marketing committee has met,” he remarked.

The BCCI had been looking to stage the ODIs in North America ? in Toronto, at least, if not in the US as well ? but the grounds aren’t ready.

The West Indies’ own reservations apart, the move to schedule them in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur fell through as the floodlights won’t be installed by September.

Apparently, Sri Lanka Cricket is willing to act as host, but the Indians will, in any case, be there for almost three weeks next month.

Moreover, in principle, the fund-raisers (be it India versus West Indies or India against Pakistan) are going to be held outside the subcontinent.