Australia want to play Pakistan in October at a neutral venue rather than have the series postponed, according to James Sutherland, the chief executive of the Australian Cricket Board. Sutherland said during a TV interview that it was the ACB's preference to play the three-Test series in the scheduled timeframe (Oct 1-29). "What we've said to the Pakistan Cricket Board is that we're very keen for these matches to be played in October as scheduled," Sutherland said, "and hopefully that's the approach they're taking."

Last week Australia refused to tour Pakistan for the series because of concerns over player safety.

Sutherland said that if the series didn't go ahead in October, it would be postponed for a year or two, as was the case with the series against Zimbabwe, which was put back two years after Australia refused to tour there earlier this year for similar reasons: "It's not a matter if the matches get played but a matter of when."

Pakistan had been keen to host the matches, citing financial hardship after nearly 12 months of virtually no cricket at home following the repercussions of the September 11 attacks on America. Sutherland is sympathetic to Pakistan: "This is the third tour [to Pakistan] this calendar year that's either been aborted or cancelled. We know what sort of implication that would have for us - you can only imagine the significant financial impact in Pakistan."

Sutherland said he was aware that Bangladesh, Sharjah and Sri Lanka have been mentioned as possible venues, but wouldn't be drawn on any preferences, although his comments on the Test-worthiness of grounds appeared to rule out Sharjah and Bangladesh.

"It's not easy to make grounds available. In terms of preparing wickets and grounds for Test cricket, it's difficult - the wicket needs to last five days. One of the reasons we made the decision now is to make sure the Pakistanis have an opportunity to access the grounds and start working through that."

There is only one major ground in both Bangladesh and Sharjah, but Sri Lanka has three recognised Test centres - Colombo, Galle and Kandy.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd