England Test moved to Chennai after attacks

Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 5:11 am

In a bid to salvage the Test series against England, the BCCI today 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 tonight 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.

(Agencies)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

England Test moved to Chennai after attacks

From World:

Todays news from Sports News

Advertisement

Email Subscription

Advertisement