The England cricket team’s return to India for the two Test matches was close to being formalised on Wednesday after the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) security expert Reg Dickason gave his thumbs-up to the safety arrangements in Chennai, the venue for the first match.

Dickason, who will send a report to the ECB that will determine the fate of the series, arrived here on Wednesday morning and met with BCCI secretary N Srinivasan and city police chief K Radhakrishnan before inspecting the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which is scheduled to host the first Test from December 11.

Much to the Indian board’s relief, Dickason said: “We had some security concerns, but they have been addressed.” Later, in a statement, Srinivasan said: “Based on the discussions held and the clarifications given, the BCCI expects no problem with the first Test being held in Chennai.”

There might still be one hurdle, though. It is learnt that because of the dilemma the England players are facing, a second security check can be expected soon. The chief executive of the Professional Cricket Association, Sean Morris, is likely to come to Chennai to check if the safety precautions suggested by Dickason are in place. While the BBC reported that Morris will be Chennai on Thursday, Srinivasan said he didn’t have information about his visit. “I have no idea if any player representative will be here,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Chennai police commissioner K Radhakrishnan had assured Dickason of tight security for the England team who, if the tour goes ahead, will arrive here on December 8. “Central access control systems will be installed at the vantage points and the players’ viewing area, as also the team hotel. The players, upon their arrival here, will be advised to restrict their movement outside the hotel area,” he said.

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