NEW DELHI, August 8, 2008 (AFP) - The Indian cricket board on Friday changed the itinerary of the four-Test Australian series later this year owing to a clash of dates with a key festival.

The third Test, which was originally slated to begin here on October 28, will now start a day later as it coincided with the main Hindu festival of Diwali.

'The third Test was to begin on October 28 which is when Diwali will be celebrated all over the country,' board secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.

'It has therefore been decided to commence the match on October 29 instead. The fourth Test in Nagpur will consequently begin on November 6.'

The Australians will arrive on September 29 and play a four-day practice match ahead of the first Test in Bangalore from October 9.

Oct 2-5 : Practice match, venue to be named.

Oct 9-13 : First Test, Bangalore

Oct 17-21 : Second Test, Mohali

Oct 29-Nov 2: Third Test, New Delhi

Nov 6-10 : Fourth Test, Nagpur