India v England fifth Test goes ahead despite cyclone in Chennai

The fifth Test between India and England will get going on Friday in Chennai despite a cyclone and damage to the stadium.

The hosts have already wrapped up the five-match series after England capitulated in Mumbai to slip to an innings-and-39-run defeat in the fourth Test.

However, preparations for the final showdown have been hit by horrendous weather conditions in the Eastern city of Chennai caused by Cyclone Vardah which has damaged the M A Chidambaram Stadium.

Wednesday's training session was called off following winds reported to be 100mph on Tuesday. It is believed that the floodlights at the cricket ground, along with the sightscreen, practice pitches and air conditioning units have all been damaged.

Despite the conditions and wreckage from the storm that has left at least 10 people dead and thousands evacuated from coastal areas, the fifth Test will still take place.

Both teams flew from Mumbai on an afternoon charter across India on Tuesday, and were immediately confronted with the startling effects of the storm which had ravaged Chennai the previous day.

Thousands of trees felled by the violent gales and rain provided instant physical evidence of the cyclone's path - and with many power lines also down, only generators were keeping large parts of the city from being plunged into darkness as evening fell.

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England have already cancelled their first scheduled practice session on Wednesday because facilities are unfit at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

But they were assured the match would not be affected.

Watch India play England in the fifth and final Test of the series from Chennai, live on Sky Sports 2 from 3.30am on Friday.