Sunday, November 30, 2008

India decision hangs over England

Andrew Flintoff
Flintoff and the England players will have many issues on their minds

England's cricketers are considering whether to return to India for two Tests after a security assessment has been completed.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has said players would not be forced to go.

Spinner Graeme Swann, battling to secure a place in the side, told the BBC he had a "tricky" decision to make, despite not being 100% happy to return.

ECB managing director Hugh Morris could not confirm reports of Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison refusing to travel.

He told BBC 5 Live's Sportsweek programme: "I've not had confirmation from either Andy or Steve. What we are doing is pulling the (security) reports together over the next 24 to 48 hours and we will be putting that information to the players and their representatives."

The security report is due within the next two days, conducted on the back of the terror attacks in Mumbai.

With the last two one-dayers between India and England cancelled, the two-Test series - due to begin on 11 December - depends on the report's outcome.

Morris said the team would only go back to India if their safety could be guaranteed, but it remained unclear as to which players a returning England team would comprise of.

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Swann told BBC Five Live's Sportweek programme it would be a shame if the series did not go ahead, but added that when watching the "harrowing scenes" in Mumbai last week, cricket was the last thing on his mind.

"I wouldn't be 100% happy going back," he said. "If [the report] says 'look guys we're safe, we can go out there, we can do some good playing cricket', then I'd go.

"But until that report comes back, I'm not keen at the minute."

There have been reports suggesting that Flintoff and Harmison will pull out of the tour because of family concerns.

However, being two of England's top bowlers, any decision by them not to play is unlikely to affect their future position in the team.

Swann, though, has still to cement his England spot, having pipped Adil Rashid and Samit Patel to the second spinning slot alongside Monty Panesar when the Test squad for India was chosen in September.

"It's tricky for people like myself who are trying to forge a regular place in the team," the 29-year-old said.

"It comes down to thinking if I don't go and miss out on future selections, which clouds the issue.

Graeme Swann
Swann would have a good chance to shine with the ball in India

"It's certainly a very difficult decision to make and not one anyone will be enjoying."

Meanwhile, Lalit Modi, vice-president of the Indian cricket board, expects England to return - if safety assurances were met.

"Player safety and fans safety is paramount for us," Modi told Five Live's Sportsweek.

"But on the other hand we must make sure events like this don't give the opportunity to terrorists around the world to get away with this. We need to carry on."

On the prospect of players deciding against playing because of their families, Modi added: "We don't want to force the decision on anybody.

"I'm sure families will want to influence players and rightfully so, but they need to make their own decision.

"I really do believe it will happen though. The ECB, the security teams and governments are all checking it out and I'm sure it will be all right."

He also said the Board for Control of Cricket in India would not press the ECB for compensation should the series be shelved.

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