India agree to tour after South Africa withdraw Haroon Lorgat from BCCI affairs

Putting an end to weeks of speculation, the BCCI on Tuesday gave its consent to India's tour of South Africa after Cricket South Africa withdrew its CEO Haroon Lorgat from not just its dealings with the Indian Board but also the ICC Chief Executives Committee pending an inquiry into his actions. (Read: Haroon Lorgat still CSA chief, clarifies board)

"Following meetings in London over the past couple of days, CSA and the BCCI have today announced that the South Africa cricket team will play against India in an upcoming home series comprising of two Test matches and three One Day International matches, the specific dates and details of which will be announced in due course," the BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a joint statement. (Full statement)

"In addition, both parties have also agreed to continue with good faith discussions between their respective presidents about the possibility of agreeing further bilateral arrangements in respect of the scheduled fixtures between the two teams, and taking into account any scheduling imbalances from previous years."

The tour had been in limbo since July after CSA unilaterally released its itinerary, a move which miffed the BCCI. The Indian Board was also unhappy with Lorgat's appointment as CEO. (BCCI flexes muscle, Lorgat ousted)

The BCCI's uneasiness with Lorgat stemmed from a frosty relationship that the Board shared with him during his stint as the ICC CEO.

Matters came to a head recently when CSA's former legal adviser David Becker, allegedly at the behest of Lorgat, accused BCCI President N Srinivasan of being manipulative.

The BCCI-CSA statement said the ICC has now decided to investigate the matter, including Lorgat's reported role, even though Becker has maintained that the views expressed were completely his own.

"The agreement to tour was concluded by the two Boards after various concerns were raised around the recent ICC meeting in London about the alleged conduct of CSA's Chief Executive, Mr Haroon Lorgat, and recent comments made about the ICC Board by a former legal advisor to CSA, Mr David Becker," the joint statement read.

"The ICC and CSA have already refuted the comments made by Mr Becker, and the ICC is now considering its legal options in respect of the same.

"In addition, the ICC will convene an investigation by an independent third party (to be appointed by the ICC) into the content and distribution of the media comments, subsequent attempts to have them withdrawn, and, in particular, the role of Mr Lorgat in relation to these matters," the statement said.

Pending the inquiry, the CSA has also barred Lorgat from representing it in the ICC. Also, the findings of the inquiry would be binding on the South African Board.