India Seek Extra New Zealand Test To Offset Losses

India are scheduled to play two tests, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 international in New Zealand from March.

The Indian cricket board are seeking to add a third test to their New Zealand tour itinerary to help recover revenue lost from cancelled events, a senior official said on Monday. "We have requested New Zealand to accommodate an extra test and are waiting for their response," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty told Reuters.

India are scheduled to play two tests, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 international in New Zealand from March.

The cash-rich BCCI reported a revenue loss of around $25 million on Saturday from the scrapping of two one-day games against England and the tour of Pakistan in the wake of militant attacks in Mumbai in November.

It also took into account the money it would have received for taking part in the Champions Trophy, postponed from September to late 2009 after a possible boycott by teams due to security concerns over playing in Pakistan.

The Indian government refused permission for the cricket tour of Pakistan, which was scheduled from this month, due to strained bilateral ties after blaming Islamist militants based in that country for the attacks which killed 179 people.

India, who have no international cricket scheduled until the New Zealand tour, are also in talks with Sri Lanka to stage a one-day series.