Cricket Australia (CA) has made a proposal to the BCCI to shorten their Test series against India next year from four to three matches so as to accomodate a crammed schedule.

India are touring Down Under from December 20 to early March next year for a four-Tests series and a tri-series also involving Sri Lanka.

Australia will pay a return visit to India in October next year and CA wants that tour to be shortened from four to  three Tests, besides two ODIs, so that the world chmapions return in time to play against New Zealand in November.

‘’That (shortening the tour) is a discussion we are having with India at the moment,’’ a CA spokesman said. ‘’They (BCCI) are examining our proposal to play three Tests and two one-day matches. We are keen to get back to Australia by November 1 as we have a three-Test series against the Kiwis,’’ the spokesman was quoted as saying. The Aussies plan to travel to India immediately after the ICC Champions Trophy in September next year.