MELBOURNE, July 31 - Australia plan to play in a
triangular tournament with India and West Indies in Malaysia
and Singapore in September as part of their preparations for
the ICC Champions Trophy in India.
"The Australian team last played one-day international
cricket in Bangladesh in April so it's important for us that
this opportunity is used in advance of the ICC's major
tournament in October, which Australia have never won," Cricket
Australia chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement
on Monday.
Australia open their Champions Trophy campaign against a
qualifier in Mumbai on Oct. 18 in a tournament featuring all
the world's major cricketing nations.
"We hope we're close to being able to put this important
tournament in place as a warm-up event for the ICC Champions
Trophy," Sutherland added.
"I'm sure such a tournament will be a great success and
further strengthen our relationships with Asian cricketing
countries."
The Oct.7 to Nov. 5 Champions Trophy is regarded as a dress
rehearsal for the World Cup in the Caribbean next March and
April, when Australia will defend the title they won in South
Africa three years ago.