Chennai: Welcome to Fortress Chennai - the venue of the first Test between India and England starting on December 11.

Reg Dickason, the chief security officer of the ECB, gave his verbal go-ahead for the Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium after taking a look at the security measures, but the TNCA, the team hotel Taj Coromandel and the Chennai police had to do a lot of convincing to ensure that the burly officer was satisfied with the whole set-up.

There will be commandos all around the place right from the moment the English team lands in the city on December 8. The England team members will be requested not to venture out into the city during non-match hours, informed K Radhakrishnan, the Chennai commissioner of Police.

Desperate Prior willing to return
London: A few of his teammates may have developed cold feet but England wicket-keeper Matt Prior is willing to return to India for next week's Test series as he is desperate to hold on to his place in the national side.