Colombo/London: Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand are set to play a triangular series in Sri Lanka during August, ahead of the Champions Trophy. SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said the tournament, which would be an unscheduled one in Sri Lanka's cricket calendar, is expected to take place from August 4 or 6 as New Zealand's tour draws to a close.

According to the SLC, the tournament is the result of discussions with Indian and New Zealand officials during the ICC meeting at Lord's this week. "We came to an agreement in discussions we had with the Indian board president Shashank Manohar and secretary N Srinivasan and New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan," said Ranatunga on his arrival from London on Friday. "Sri Lanka Cricket would like to express its appreciation to the officials of BCCI for agreeing on an unscheduled tour, which would add an additional commercial benefit to the stakeholders of SLC; moreover a viewing pleasure to the cricket loving public in Sri Lanka."

New Zealand is due to tour Sri Lanka in mid-August for a series of two Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and ODIs. Ranatunga said that the dates for this triangular, comprising four matches including the final, would be finalised shortly. "We have suggested two dates for starting the tournament August 4 or August 6. The tournament will run for about ten days. We are awaiting confirmation of the dates and a final itinerary will be released no sooner we have the confirmation."

Ranatunga said that as this was an unscheduled tournament, SLC may open tenders for television and broadcasting rights. He also said that Wayamba, domestic Twenty20 champions, would participate in the Champions League in India from October 8-23 at the invitation of the Indian board.