The Hindu : Sport : Chepauk gearing up for the India-England Test

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Chepauk gearing up for the India-England Test

Special Correspondent

TNCA is already busy with arrangements
Indian team members will begin arriving on Dec. 8

Chennai: “From our side everything is in place. It is now for the ECB to get back to the BCCI,” said TNCA secretary K.S. Viswanathan, here on Friday.

He added, “I am 99 per cent sure that England would be playing the first Test at Chepauk. The ECB is likely to make the final decision on the Test tour on Sunday. If the English players were not keen on the tour, they would not have left for Abu Dhabi.”

Mr. Viswanathan said, “He (ECB’s Chief Security Officer Reg Dickason) sought some assurances on the security front and his requests have been addressed by the city’s police commissioner.”

On its part, the TNCA is already busy with its arrangements for the Test.

“The ground-staff is working hard. The tickets will be sold from December 8 (Monday),” Mr. Viswanathan revealed.

Will the Test, coming soon after the terrorist strikes in Mumbai, attract a sizable audience? “Chennai is passionate about cricket. It is a centre that has traditionally drawn large crowds for Test matches.

“The fans here appreciate the nuances of Test cricket. I am sure the spectators will come without any fear,” said Mr. Viswanathan.

The TNCA secretary expected the spectators to comprehend the need for additional security measures this time.

“This is for their own good. I am certain they will cooperate.”

Interestingly, England will be playing its first Test at Chepauk after Anil Kumble bowled India to victory in 1993.

Captain Graham Gooch turned ill on the eve of the Test and Alec Stewart stepped in to lead England. It proved a disastrous Test for the visitor.

That was a long time ago. England has a chance to make amends this time. “This, perhaps, is an added incentive for England to perform better this time. It should be a good Test,” Mr. Viswanathan said.

The members of the Indian squad will begin arriving on December 8. “England, if the tour is cleared, should also reach here on the same day,” he said.

If Mr. Dickason’s report gives the tour the all-clear, Chepauk could witness a cracker of a Test from December 11.

Morris expected

Meanwhile, Hugh Morris, ECB’s Managing Director, is expected to oversee the security arrangements in Chennai on Saturday.

The Punjab Cricket Association Joint Secretary G.S. Walia informed The Hindu that Mr. Dickason was scheduled to visit Mohali, the venue for the second Test, on November 9.

The ECB’s CSO has decided to stay back in Chennai – he had held further meetings with the TNCA officials – and is expected to apprise Mr. Morris of the latest situation on Saturday.

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