Cricket: Plan ahead

England cricket tours to India have rarely failed to produce incident or excitement. And for those who decide to follow England to the sub-continent in 1993 - when they are also playing one Test in Sri Lanka - there should be much to enjoy on and off the field.

On their last tour in 1984-85 England, captained by David Gower, came from 1-0 down to win the Test series 2-1. Mike Gatting, recalled to the ranks after his ban for playing in South Africa was reduced, has happy memories of that tour as he scored his maiden Test century.

England begin the 1993 series on 3 January in a three-day match against the Ranji champions in Faridabad. They will play three Tests against India at Calcutta starting on 29 January, in Madras from 11 February and at Bombay beginning on 18 February.

There are also six one-day internationals - 16 January: Ahmedabad; 18: Jaipur; 21: Delhi; 26 February: Bangalore; 1 March: Jamshedpur; 5: Delhi. The Sri Lankan leg of the tour starts with a one-day international on 10 March, with a second on 20 March, and a Test match in Colombo, with a rest day on 15 March, starting on 13 March.

A number of travel companies are offering a variety of packages for the tour. For anyone taking a holiday in India and wishing to see a match, there should be a plentiful supply of tickets for the Tests, but the one-day internationals are likely to be sold out. Tickets can be obtained from numerous private agencies and further information can be obtained from India's Cricket Board of Control.

Gullivers Sports Travel, Fiddington Manor, Tewsbury, Gloucs GL20 7BJ. Tel: 0684 293175. 3- 25 February: including second and third Tests in India, plus two full days in the Indian ocean resort of Goa. Cost: pounds 2195 per person (single room supplement pounds 850). 27 January-4 February: first Test option. pounds 605 per person (srs: pounds 310). 4-22 March: Sri Lanka. Cost: pounds 1150pp (srs: pounds 175) 8-22 March: Cost: pounds 995pp, (srs: pounds 150).

John Snow Travel, 2, Broadfield Barton, Crawley, Sussex RH11 9BA. Tel: 0293 543185/6/7. 25 January-25 February: includes the three Tests in India. Cost: pounds 2475pp (srs: pounds 850). 2-25 February: includes second and third Tests. Cost: pounds 1885pp (srs: pounds 620). 8-25 February: includes second and third Tests. Cost: pounds 1535pp (srs: pounds 455). 24 February-1 March: Goa addition. Cost: pounds 280pp (srs: pounds 130). 6- 21 March: Sri Lanka option. Cost: pounds 875pp (srs: pounds 185).

Fred Rumsey Travel, 19, Main Street, Barton-under-Needwood, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs DE13 8AA. Tel: 0283 716677. 14 January-25 February: Cost: pounds 4,395pp, (srs: pounds 1,397). 14 January-4 February: Cost: pounds 2,719pp (srs: pounds 727). 27 January-25 February: Cost: pounds 3,595 (srs: pounds 1,090). 9-25 February: Cost: pounds 2,295pp (srs: pounds 650). Goa options: 22- 27 January; 3-7 February.

Kuoni Travel Limited, Special Tours Department, 33, Maddox Street, London W1R 9LD. 071-499 8636. Tour A: 25 January-25 February: Cost: pounds 2,478pp (srs: pounds 799). Tour B: 2-25 February: Cost: pounds 1,925pp (srs: pounds 666) or pounds 1,694pp (srs: pounds 367). Goa extension: Cost: pounds 301pp (srs: pounds 94). Tour C: 17-28 February: Cost: pounds 1,211pp (srs: pounds 267). 17-24 February: Third Test: Cost: pounds 948pp (srs: pounds 238). Sri Lanka: Tour A: pounds 1,056pp (srs: pounds 166). Tour B: pounds 1,167pp (srs: pounds 222). Test match: 9-21 March: Cost: pounds 575 (srs: pounds 33).

Indian Cricket Board of Control, c/o Brabourne Stadium, DN Road, Churchgate, Bombay 400- 020. Tel: 010-91-2222-1622.