Supporters neglected as winter tour visits India's far pavilions

The already strained relations between cricket's governing bodies in England (England and Wales Cricket Board) and India (Board of Control for Cricket in India) were further tested yesterday when this winter's tour itinerary to the subcontinent was published.

The itinerary, comprising two Tests and seven one-day internationals, does not take in Calcutta, Bangalore, Jaipur, Nagpur or Mohali. Instead England find themselves heading to the more remote regions. Guwahati, for example, lies to the north beyond Bangladesh. An ECB statement expressed disappointment that the itinerary did not "offer the supporters the opportunity to experience more of the great cricket grounds of India".

John Carr, the ECB's director of cricket operations, said: "With such a busy itinerary it is important that we are able to go direct from one centre to the next, but it obviously makes it difficult for travelling supporters."