England squad lands back in India

Kevin Pietersen is flanked by security guards in Chennai

The England cricket team have arrived in Chennai ahead of the two-Test series against India which starts on Thursday.

They landed on Monday evening amid unprecedented security and were immediately whisked away to their coach by heavily-armed security personnel.

England flew home from India after the 26 November terror attacks in Mumbai.

They have since been training in Abu Dhabi and agreed to resume their interrupted tour after receiving assurances over their safety.

606: DEBATE Thank you England. Your actions will allay a lot of fears that Westerners have while visiting our country CROUCHING-TIGER

BBC Sport's Joe Wilson, reporting from Chennai, said: "Hundreds of locals were here to see England's players as they arrived.

"But they were kept away from the players by dozens of commandos in their green uniforms as an obvious show of strength by India."

The senior players have received praise for their "brave" decision to return, but Andrew Flintoff insisted it was a decision taken by the whole team.

After the one-day series between the two nations was cut short the England squad initially flew home before heading for the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi while they waited for the results of safety reports.

England return to India with a 15-member squad which includes the uncapped Kent pace bowler Amjad Khan, who was called up on Sunday.

Stuart Broad is included in the party, but is struggling to shake off a hamstring problem which has already ruled him out of the first match.

Meanwhile, India have already started practice at the city's cricket stadium

Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid, 20, is travelling with the squad for experience.

India captain Mahendra Dhoni landed in Chennai on Sunday, a day earlier than most of his team-mates. His team had already started practice at the city's M.A. Chidambaram Stadium by the team England landed at the airport.

The second Test is scheduled for Mohali and is set to start on 19 December.

Reg Dickason, the England and Wales Cricket Board's security adviser, will visit Mohali with Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, and Sean Morris, head of the England players' association, on Tuesday.

They are scheduled to conduct an inspection of the PCA Stadium and the team hotel. They will then meet various local officials, including ground, hotel and security personnel the following day.

• Refinance your auto loan Michigan
• used car loans