NEW DELHI, Dec 6: A final decision on the fate of the two-match Test series between England and India, under a cloud of uncertainty following the terror attacks in Mumbai, is expected to come out on Sunday when the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) security expert gives his report on the security situation.

The eagerly awaited report will determine whether the England team, presently training in Abu Dhabi, will go to India to resume cricketing activities after the last two games of the seven-match One-day International series were cancelled following the Mumbai incident.

Reg Dickason, The ECB security adviser, has already inspected the stadium and hotel in Chennai, the venue of the first Test scheduled from Dec 11, and had detailed discussions on the security arrangements with the BCCI and police officials.

Hugh Morris, ECB Managing Director, and England Professional Cricketers Association (EPCA) Chief Executive Sean Morris have also reached Chennai to inspect the arrangements before taking a final decision on the tour.

During the day, the ECB delegation had more discussions with the BCCI and police officials who have promised to put a fool-proof security set-up in place for the England team and their support staff.

The trio would also inspect Mohali which hosts the second Test starting on Dec 19.

After concluding their visit, the trio would then report back to the team management which will in turn inform the players about all the security arrangements that have been put in place.

Soon after the visit in Chennai, Dickason had virtually given the green signal to the southern metropolis as the venue for the first Test, saying the organisers had addressed all his concerns.

A top BCCI source said the Board is optimistic that the tour will proceed as per schedule as the England team have been assured of the best possible security cover.

“All their security concerns have been addressed and we are hopeful that the matches will be played,” the source said.

England have set up a training camp here until a definitive decision is made on Sunday on the trip back to India. A friendly match is scheduled between the players on Sunday.

If the England security experts give a green signal to undertake the two-Test tour, the squad will leave for Chennai on Monday. Hugh Morris and Sean Morris will return on Sunday with their conclusions.

England coach Peter Moores, in the meantime, said his players are keen to return to India for the Test series.

“There’s a strong feeling that we want to go and play these Tests,” Moores told the ECB website from Abu Dhabi.

“There’s a general will within the team to go and play these test matches. Because, one, people will be representing their country but also in the situation we find ourselves after what happened in Mumbai,” he added.

“Everyone will have different opinions and if someone doesn’t want to go we will respect that.

“Hopefully, we can take our full-strength side there, compete, win the series and have a good Christmas.”

The team’s preparation was affected by rain in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, but Moores said it was important for his players to be mentally ready for the Test series.

“Mentally, everyone has to assume we are going,” he stated. “It’s about [getting] your skills ready to go as a batter or a bowler. It’s such a quick turnaround now, so the lads have got to get themselves [together] really quickly if they are going to be ready.”

“The practice has been compromised quite a lot, we are practising in the wrong country but the lads are in good spirits.”

—Agencies