Chennai Test to be held as scheduled, says TNCA secretary Kasi Viswanathan
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) secretary Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed that the fifth and final Test against England will be held as scheduled at Chepauk starting Dec 16, following his meeting with the Chennai police chief.
Doubts were raised about Chidambaram Stadium hosting the match following the death of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Dec 5 and the state announcing seven days of mourning.
The Ranji Trophy match between Jharkhand and Odisha was cancelled, and the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match between Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh was called off on the second day on orders of the TNCA.
"There is no problem for us in conducting the match. Everything is in place. We had requested the TN police to provide necessary security. I met the Commissioner of Police as well and they have given their nod to provide security for the contest," Viswanathan told the Times of India.
"There was not even a discussion from the government or police to stop the match. The TN police have confirmed that all security arrangements will be made accordingly. We have also informed the same to the BCCI,” he added.
Chidambaram Stadium last held a Test in February 2013 when India beat Australia by eight wickets.