Saturday, November 29, 2008

Chennai to host second Test against England

n a bid to salvage the Test series against England, the BCCI chose Chennai as the venue for the second Test on Friday 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 on Thursday, 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 10 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", the statement said.

England will return home from Bangalore later on 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.

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