England fans prepare for Chennai Test
The players have arrived; their security has arrived; a cyclone has apparently arrived and, if you look very closely, a small pocket of England supporters has slowly begun to arrive in in time for the first Test.
It's been a long and trying two weeks since the , not only for the players in deciding whether to return but also for those supporters waiting on that decision and making their own choice on whether to travel accordingly.
These are extraordinary times out here (as has been proved by the willingness of theand to come to an agreement over the venues) and it would be churlish to criticise the authorities too much for the time taken to come to a decision.
However, for England's supporters, either the refugees from the ODI series or, more pertinantly, those at home, the decision on whether to return as well as the venues for the Tests has proved just too long for many and numerous regular faces on tour have now decided 'to give this one a miss'.
It's been especially hard on those determined to see both Tests before flying home to England in time for Christmas.
Whilst the England camp demanded to be home for Christmas even before the events of a fortnight ago, those supporters booked on their original flights out of Mumbai on Christmas Eve still have no idea if they need a connecting flight from Chandigarh, Bangalore or even Delhi.
Similarly, those of us trying to book trains or flights from Chennai to the second Test still have no confirmation on where we need to book those journeys to for a Test that starts in just 10 days time!
Whilst is only an overnight train journey away, the only place you'll find Chennai and Chandigarh next to each other is in the index of the , Trains at a Glance!
There is no doubt there has been a noticeable increase in security at the country's major railway stations but once you step into India's teeming streets life goes on much as it ever has.
At the though it might be a different story with Indian police having reportedly deployed a staggering 5,000 personnel, including 300 armed commandos, at the team hotel and at the stadium.
But once the average walks away from the ground it is, obviously, a different story and it's down to us, as ever, to use our own judgement on each situation that travelling in India throws up each day.
No England fan I've spoken to has changed their usual lifestyle out here in any way and I'd imagine it will business as usual at the hotels, restaurant and bars in the city over the next week - albeit on a smaller scale than usual.
One thing that will undoubtedly be a source of conversation in those bars and restaurants is whether the Test match atmosphere will differ in anyway from a 'normal' Test match played under 'normal' circumstances.
And whilst I'm sure England's supporters will also have their own theories in why their team chose to return for the Test series, there's no doubt most of those supporters out here will have their own thoughts on the relevance of the cricket being played in front of them.
But whilst the graphic images of bodies sprawled acoss the concourse of Mumbai's main railway station will live with me for a very long time I have to believe that we, the English supporters, are here in India at this time, to cheer England towards a Test series victory.
Comment number 1.
At 9th Dec 2008, nickduggy wrote:good golly gosh have you seen how high pietersen has pulled his socks up in that photo!?? he looks more like a tennis player... combined with thierry henry!!!
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Dec 2008, wombletiltheend wrote:Even if 8 England fans make the journey we will outnumber the Indian fans in the stadium 4-1.
They must be hardcore to go to all this trouble to sample no atmosphere, see 2 days of rain and no wickets to fall on the carpark pitches.
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Comment number 3.
At 9th Dec 2008, Ed wrote:I check the 91Èȱ¬ website approximately 73 times each day waiting to find out when I can attempt to book a flight from Mumbai to Chandigarh/Bangalore/Delhi. I realise that these safety things can't be done halfheartedly but its getting a little late in the day and whilst I love India, I don't really fancy spending Christmas there. I doubt the ECB have paid much attention to the supporters throughout this process. I'm holding out for Bangalore but it's looking like it'll be Mohali all the way. Either way lets hope for some news soon.
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Comment number 4.
At 10th Dec 2008, SwamyCricketAnanda wrote:Hi Phil, welcome to Chennai. And womble, you can bet your bottom dollar or pound that the stadium will be full... no matter what.
Phil, I am planning to catch the action live over the weekend... let's see if we can meet up over a beer. You can email me at sundaram.krs@gmail.com
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Comment number 5.
At 10th Dec 2008, clown-man wrote:Yes Mr philip, welcome to Madras, I think that is its real name, yes. I am here too and looking forward to lots of good crikkit, innit. I like Madras, it is very nice good place.
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Comment number 6.
At 10th Dec 2008, amazinglordkrishna wrote:i sincerely hope that visitors actually go and bat and not send an armed policeman to bat for them. good luck to england and hope someone scores a century.
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Comment number 7.
At 10th Dec 2008, Steevan61 wrote:Hi to all Uk fans,dont worry about the crowd ,in India it will be full, if its test or one day cricket ,just one terror attack wont spoil cricket game, its only a part of Bombay and not intire Indian Soo do all enjoy cricket live test from 11/12/2008 Chennai all the best for the 2 teams
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Comment number 8.
At 11th Dec 2008, titan2222 wrote:Hurrah England.....You have shown a lot of guts...coming back to INDIA so soon after the traumatic events in Mumbai.
Thank you for reposing faith in us the Indian people. We value this brave gesture of support for India and for the game of Cricket. As you are aware, Cricket is the lifeblood of Sport to millions of people all over the Indian sub-continent. They will remember your valuable gesture of support that you have extended to us in this our hour of need.
The match fee that you have donated so magnanimously to the unfortunate victims of the Mumbai will go a long way in assuaging the pain of the victims of these destructive acts of terror. On behalf of all of us Indians I extend our sincere gratitude
for this fine gesture
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Comment number 9.
At 12th Dec 2008, wombletiltheend wrote:Hmmm, I see two comments from Indian fans above saying that the grounds would be full.
Yet all I see is empty seats interspersed by security guards.
More English fans than Indian. No worries, India's population is quite small and Chennai's is a pithy 6 mill.
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Comment number 10.
At 14th Dec 2008, clown-man wrote:I thought the crowd for India was good today I thought, yes.
And mr Phil Long, I think I see you in the stand. On the top tier. You look like your picture, yes. Your not singing much with the Barmie Army, maybe you are not a good singer I dont know.
Hope to see you tomorrow, from clown-man
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Comment number 11.
At 18th Dec 2008, clown-man wrote:Where is your next blog Mr Phil?
I am in Chandigarh waiting for it, yes.
I hope it will be all about the sectors. They have sectors here not road names. It is good because sector 15-D is easy to remember. Also easy to remember is sector 10-A and sector 17-C. THese three are my favourite sector numbers. Yes.
Hope to see you again at the ground. From clown-man.
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