Saturday, August 26 2006 13:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Durban: After withdrawing from the cricket tri-series in Sri Lanka citing security concerns, South Africa is now trying to arrange some matches against an un-named opponent to prepare for the Champions Trophy to be held in India in October-November.

"We are looking for extra one-day games and they are almost finalised," Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola says.

"The conditions in Abu Dhabi are very similar to those in India and that will give us the preparation we need for the Champions Trophy," he tells sources.

Majola says that the England and Wales Cricket Board have approached the CSA for a one-day series if Pakistan refuses to play in light of the ball tampering controversy, but announces that it will not be able to send a side for this purpose.

"We were approached by the ECB earlier this week, requesting the Proteas to replace Pakistan should they withdraw from the ODI tournament against England."

"We have turned down the request on the basis that we are committed to playing against Zimbabwe in the three-match ODI tournament starting next month," the CSA chief executive says.

However, with Inzamam-ul-Haq's disciplinary hearing being postponed till the second week of September, the Pakistan-England one-day series is set to be played as scheduled.