India vs England: Cyclone won’t play spoilsport, Chennai Test on track

Chennai is scheduled to host the India vs England fifth and final Test from December 16. The city has been ravaged by cyclone Vardah.

The fifth and final Test match between India and England will start as per schedule on December 16 at the Chepauk despite the severe cyclone Vardah that lashed the Tamil Nadu capital last evening.

A man stands on a fallen tree that fell on a vehicle after it was uprooted by strong winds caused by cyclone Vardah, in Chennai. (REUTERS)

India thrashed England by an innings and 36 runs on Monday to take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the series.

Tamil Nadu Cricket Association secretary Kashi Viswanathan said that although centre strip and the outfield have not been affected by the cyclone, the sight screen has been badly damaged, the bulbs of the floodlights blown off, a number of air-conditioners also got damaged and those need to be set in order in the next two days.

“The assuring part is that the pitch and the outfield has not been affected by the cyclone. But sightscreen has been damaged. The bulbs have blown off, air conditioners damaged. There have been hundreds of tree trunks lying in the road leading up to the stadium. Our challenge is to set everything in order in the next two days. I am confident we will be able to set everything right,” Viswanthan said on Wednesday.

The veteran administrator also informed that like other years, three blocks will remain closed.