Indian police expect England return

The head of Chennai Police expects England to return to India next Monday ahead of the scheduled Test series and is convinced the team's security can be assured.

England's two-match Test series with India was thrown into doubt after a series of terrorist attacks rocked the Indian city of Mumbai last week.

The Tests have been moved from Ahmedabad and Mumbai to Chennai and Mohali in light of the attacks, after talks between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

England security manager Reg Dickason has been in India to conduct a security review, to determine whether the team should return to the country to play the Tests, which are due to start on 11 December and 19 December.

England returned home shortly after the attacks, cutting short the one-day series against India.

Thiru K Radhakrishnan, Chief Commissioner of Chennai Police, said Dickason had been satisfied with the security arrangements the two discussed in a meeting this week.

"He was satisfied with the steps we are taking to make this tour successful," Radhakrishnan told Sky Sports News.

"I'm sure everything will go well and we will provide absolute security for the visiting team. I'm sure we will provide security for the team."

He added: "They will arrive here on December 8."

Radhakrishnan said he was convinced the heightened security measures he intends to put in place would ensure England will return.

"He (Dickason) was happy to come here to the stadium," he said. "Security will be taken over by the police, the team will have an exclusive floor in their hotel and there will be absolute security for all the team."

Earlier, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said he was confident the Tests would go ahead and confirmed meetings between the Indian authorities and Dickason had taken place.

Srinivasan said in a statement: "Dickason met the Commissioner of Police and other officials at police headquarters in Chennai.

"Dickason will proceed to Mohali for discussions with the Punjab Cricket Association and then make his report to ECB."

Srinivasan, who has also met with Dickason, added: "Based on the discussions held and the clarifications given, BCCI expects no problem with the first Test being held in Chennai."