Dickason completes Chennai inspection

The Indian cricket board says it expects "no problem" in hosting the first Test as scheduled from December 11 in Chennai, where Reg Dickason, the ECB's security advisor, carried out an inspection of the stadium on Wednesday. "We had some security concerns and those have been addressed," Dickason said after the inspection.

England's tour of India, starting next week, and their players' availability for the two-Test series hinges on the security report Dickason will submit to the ECB. "Dickason will go to Mohali for discussions with Punjab Cricket Association and then make his report to the ECB," N Srinivasan, the BCCI secretary, said.

In Chennai, Dickason had discussions with Srinivasan, who is also president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), which manages the MA Chidambaram stadium, and had security-related discussions with Chennai's police commissioner and other officials. He also visited the venue around afternoon and inspected the dressing rooms and the players' sitting areas.

"Based on the discussions held and the clarifications given, the BCCI expects no problem with the first Test being held in Chennai," Srinivasan said.

BCCI sources told Cricinfo that Dickason "had sent a set of conditions before his arrival and during the inspection these things will be discussed". The requirements are believed to involve blanket security from Indian special forces. Indian newspapers have reported that the ECB had asked the BCCI for a group of 20 commandos to accompany the team at all times along with an emergency evacuation plan in case of a terrorist strike and a security blanket over England's dressing rooms.

Chennai police commissioner K Radhakrishnan said that Dickason expressed satisfaction on the security arrangements being planned for the match. "[A] central access control system will be installed at the vantage point and the players' viewing area and also at the team hotel. The players, upon their arrival here, will be advised to restrict their movements outside the hotel area," he said. "The Tamil Nadu police will also provide extra security at the stadium, which will be more than the usual security arrangement and the players protection by the security staff will be watertight."

On the cricket front, the Indian selectors are expected to meet in Chennai on Thursday afternoon to pick the team for the two Tests, while the ECB is learned to be considering the option of organizing a practice game in Abu Dhabi for their team on its way to India.

"There are plans but nothing is finalised yet," an official in Abu Dhabi told Cricinfo. "It will be a stop-over for a few days but they are currently struggling to get a flight to Abu Dhabi. It is difficult to arrange a game right now as it has been the national day holidays and also Eid is coming up, so the players are away. But we'll set up the nets and facilities at the Sheikh Zayed stadium for them should they come. A decision is expected later this evening."