Australia add a second India warm-up game

Australia will have an extra warm-up match in India ahead of October's Test series, with a two-day game in Jaipur now pencilled in for September 27 to 28. The original schedule allowed for only one tour match before the first Test in Bangalore, which starts on October 9.

However, the postponement of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan left Australia with no cricket arranged in the immediate lead-up to the India series. The team was keen to reach India earlier than first planned in an effort to acclimatise to the subcontinent conditions.

Cricket Australia has now confirmed that there will be two warm-up games. The newly organised fixture will be against the Rajasthan Cricket Association's Centre of Excellence, although the dates have not been finalised. The second practice match will take place from October 2 to 5.

Australia will be attempting to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after they beat India 2-1 in a controversial series at home last season. There are already question marks over their squad for the rematch with Andrew Symonds' involvement uncertain due to his team-mates' decision to send him home from the ongoing one-day series against Bangladesh.

The squad is likely to be announced next week, after the selectors have had a chance to see the Australia A group perform in two three-day games in India. The players will set off for India on September 21, giving them more than a fortnight in the country before the first Test.