Cricket chief wants England to return to India
Steve Harmison is reluctant to return for the two Test series
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Lalit Modi, vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), says it was English authorities who were most keen to continue the Test series between to two sides. |  |
Sunday, 30, Nov 2008 08:49
The president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has urged England to return to India next month for the Test series.
England's players returned home yesterday after the final two one-day internationals were postponed following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
They are due to return for the first Test starting on December 11th in Ahmedabad but players including Steve Harmison and Graeme Swann are thought to be reluctant to return.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is taking security advice and expect a decision to be made about the tour in the next 48 hours.
ICC chief Haroon Lorgat said the safety issues will be discussed at next week's ICC chief executives' committee meeting in Cape Town.
"If safety and security allow then I would urge the England Test tour of India to go ahead and if it does so then representatives of the ICC will be there to show solidarity with the competing teams," Lorgat said.
"And if those Tests are played I would also urge supporters of the game to attend them as that will be the best way to send a message to those who seek to disrupt our way of life, that we will not be prevented from doing what we want or what we enjoy.
"I have today written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India pledging whatever support the ICC can offer to help ensure that, if appropriate, cricket goes ahead.
"I have also written to the England and Wales Cricket Board with a similar offer of support and solidarity."
But fast bowler Harmison said he has been shaken by the events in Mumbai.
"How anyone can say that we should be carrying on with the tour in the circumstances is beyond me. People are writing that we shouldn't give in to terrorism, but we are cricketers, not soldiers," Harmison told the Mail on Sunday.