It was tough work watching Jimmy Ormond bowl

But before I could even contemplate taking my place on the concrete steps and enjoy the day's cricket it was time to negotiate the security cordon thrown around the ground.

The procedure was simple enough - first I had to step through a metal detector, then undergo a scan with a hand-held detector.

There was a quick pat-down by a member of the Mumbai police force before a comprehensive search of my rucksack.

The metal detector picked up nothing - save for a few loose rupees - and my pat-down was thorough but politely done.

The real trouble was to come when I opened up my rucksack for police inspection.

It quickly became clear that it would be strictly no-go for my newspaper, railway timetable, bottle of water or, incredibly, my lunchtime banana!

Parched

So while at least one Mumbai police officer could relax with the day's news, a cold draught of water and a tasty piece of fruit for lunch I was left to parch as England won the toss and asked the Presidents XI to bat.

I didn't know it then but I should have been thankful I made it into the ground at all.

As teatime approached - at a little after 2pm thanks to the early start - I decided to give in to my thirst and head out around the Wankhede Stadium in search of water.

Upon my return to the same gate, but with different personnel manning it, it appeared that a 'No Cameras' policy had been adopted sometime during the day.

Threatened with arrest

After some initial pleading with the office in charge that there was no way I was a threat to security I was threatened with arrest if I attempted to take my camera anywhere nearer the ground!

Now I love my cricket but not even I would consider a night in a Mumbai police station just to see Jimmy Ormond bowling!

So with my tail firmly between my legs I scurried off to a local bar to watch the final session on local TV with a couple of very, very welcome cold beers.

I'd most definitely arrived in India and already I was loving it!