India likely to play practice games

India's preparation for the tri-series against Australia and West Indies in Malaysia is likely to include a few practice matches in Chennai, the Indian board (BCCI) has said.

The matches have been planned owing to the cancellation of the Unitech Cup in Sri Lanka, after South Africa withdrew and rains ruined the planned bilateral series. It is rumoured that the matches will be played against local sides.

Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, told Cricinfo that the venue had not been finalised. "The facilities in Chennai are not determined yet," he said. "I will speak to Rahul [Dravid] and Greg [Chappell] tomorrow and an announcement will be made."

Chappell himself has denied suggestions of a preparatory camp ahead of the tournament: "We will not have a camp, but will try to do something different than what we did before coming to Sri Lanka."

The tri-series in Kuala Lumpur will be held at the Kinrara Oval from September 12 to 24.