India face endurance test

India are looking to build on success against Australia

India's cricketers face an exhausting schedule for the rest of the year - even if they decide not to go ahead with an indoor one-day series in Australia.

Sourav Ganguly's team are in buoyant mood after their 2-1 Test series win over the Aussies on home soil.

Their government's decision to prevent them taking part in last month's triangular competition in Sharjah has given the players the chance of an extended break.

But they will head off to Zimbabwe at the end of next month, where they will play two Tests and a one-day series, also involving the West Indies.

Only a week after their return from Africa, they will fly to Sri Lanka for a tour which will take them through to the beginning of September.

They will play three Test matches on the island - their first visit for two years - and another tri-nation one-day competition, with New Zealand also invited.

A rest was then planned before the team embarks for South Africa in October, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India is keen to fit the trip to Australia in as well.

If the invitation is accepted, they would play three one-day matches in Melbourne.

"A number of things need to be sorted out. We're still waiting to confirm the opposition," said an Australian Cricket Board spokesman.

The tour of South Africa will last into November, when the team return home to round off the year with a home series against England.