By IANS,
Chennai : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is hopeful that the two-Test series between India and England would go ahead as scheduled from next week.
BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan expressed optimism following a visit by England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) security advisor Reg Dickason’s inspection of the security arrangements at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, the venue of the first Test commencing Dec 11, and the team hotel and his meetings with the city police officials here Wednesday.
Dickason will next visit Mohali Thursday to ascertain the security arrangements for the second Test before filing his report and recommendations, based on which the ECB would take a call whether or not to proceed with the tour.
“We had some security concerns which we have addressed,” said Dickason after his meetings with Srinivasan and Commissioner of Police K. Radhakrishnan.
“As per the discussions, we are hopeful of having the Test match here,” said Srinivasan.
Meanwhile, Radhakrishnan said he assured Dickason of providing a “water tight” security to the teams during their stay in Chennai.
“A central access control system will be installed at various points in the stadium and also in the team hotel. We will also advice the players to restrict their movements outside the hotel. There will be extra security at the stadium,” said Radhakrishnan.
The two-Test series was originally scheduled for Ahmedabad and Mumbai following the conclusion of the seven-match ODI series.
The ODI series was abruptly cut short with two more games remaining and India leading 5-0 in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last month. The England team flew home Saturday and are now awaiting Dickason’s report.