Chennai to host second Test against England instead of Mumbai

New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) In a bid to salvage the Test
series against England, the Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) Friday chose Chennai as the venue for the second
Test as it promptly responded to England and Wales Cricket
Board's request to shift the match from terror-hit Mumbai.

Even as the England cricket team prepared to leave the
country after the remainder of the one-day series was called
off following the terror attacks in Mumbai, the BCCI acted
swiftly by changing the venue and maintaining that the Test
series will go ahead as per schedule.

After day-long discussions with top BCCI officials
yesterday, the ECB representatives had given an assurance to
the BCCI to return to India and play the two-match Test series
starting on December 11 provided the second match was shifted
to a venue in South India.

"India's Test series against England will be played as
per schedule. Chennai will host the second Test from
December 19 to 23, instead of Mumbai," BCCI Secretary N
Srinivasan said in a statement.

"The first Test will be played at Ahmedabad from
December 11 to 15 as originally scheduled. Baroda will host
the three-day game between the visitors and the Board
President's XI from December 5 to 7 as scheduled," it said.


England will return home from Bangalore later Friday
night after abandoning the Guwahati and New Delhi one-dayers
in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes which also forced the
postponement of the USD 6 millions Champions League Twenty20
event.

Apart from just shifting the match from Mumbai to
Chennai, there were no other changes in the schedule of the
Test series.

Although the BCCI officials have made the necessary
change in the venue and have expressed confidence that the
series will proceed as per schedule, a top Board source said
that there is still some apprehension about England returning.

"Things will become a little more clear after they return
home. They will go by the advice of their security experts, so
we are still keeping our fingers crossed", the source said.

"Much will also depend on the security scenario in the
country next month. In any case, we will go ahead with our
preparations", the source added.

England captain Kevin Pietersen's statement that his team
will not return to India for next month's cricket Test series
unless their safety is guaranteed has also put a question mark
on the series.

Pietersen insisted that players should not be forced
into going to India against their will. He also said the
safety of the players cannot be compromised.

"We need to make sure the security's right -- but if it's
not safe then we won't be coming back," he was quoted as
saying by 'Sky Sports'.


The feedback of England Professional Cricketers'
Association Chief Executive Sean Morris and security officer
Reg Dickason will also have a bearing on whether England
return to play the Test series. PTI