India Test venue changes

The Test series against England would go ahead as planned. The BCCI have switched the second Test from Mumbai to Chennai.

The Board of Cricket for Control in India today reiterated the Test series against England would go ahead as planned although they have switched the second Test from Mumbai to Chennai.

Talks between the BCCI and the England and Wales Cricket Board have been ongoing since England decided yesterday to leave India and return home following the terror attacks in Mumbai.

The second Test was due to be staged in Mumbai, starting on December 19, but that has been switched to Chennai, which is located on India's south-east coast.

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N. Srinivasan, the honorary secretary of the BCCI, said today: "India's Test series against England will be played as per schedule.

"Chennai will host the second Test from December 19 to December 23, instead of Mumbai.

"The first Test will be played in Ahmedabad from December 11 to December 15, as originally scheduled.

"Baroda will host the three-day game between the visitors and the Board President's XI from December 5 to December 7 as scheduled."

England started their journey back from India today with the violence in Mumbai, which has so far claimed over 120 lives and injured several hundred more, continuing.

The tourists fly to Bangalore to meet up with the Performance Programme squad, who will then join the main squad and return to London.

Despite the BCCI's statement today, doubts persist about whether England will return for the Test series.

The events were particularly shocking for the England party because one of the main targets, the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, was their base at the start of the tour and was due to host them again for the final Test.

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