Kolkata IPL franchise plans pre-season camp

Buchanan drives Knight Riders to Queensland

Cricinfo staff

August 5, 2008

	John Buchanan will reunite with his Indian team in Brisbane next month © AFP

John Buchanan's Kolkata Knight Riders squad will fine-tune for the next version of the Indian Premier League with a two-week camp in the Australian coach's home state next month. Buchanan will oversee the group as it trains in Brisbane and plays Twenty20 matches against Queensland and the Queensland Academy of Sport.

The details were finalised on Monday and Kolkata will bring 16 players, although their local and overseas international signings will not be part of the programme.

"John Buchanan is very keen to develop the overall depth in his squad and sees a pre-season camp here in Brisbane as a good way to realise that goal," Graham Dixon, Queensland Cricket's chief executive, said. "While their big-name international recruits are all likely to be tied up with their respective country's touring commitments, they will use the camp to involve as many of their contracted and targeted players as they can."

The Knight Riders finished sixth in the inaugural IPL, missing a place in the lucrative Champions League, and will be desperate to improve in the second event next year. They will start the camp on September 20 and could play as many as five matches against the local teams.

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