Third Test to go ahead despite riots: officials

Bikash Mohapatra reports from Birmingham

Despite the escallating riots in London and its neighbouring areas, the third Test between India and England, beginning Wednesday, will go ahead.

Confirming the same, the Warwickshire County Cricket Club issued a statement to this effect on Tuesday morning. 

Sources in the England and Indian camp also confirmed that both teams are keen to go ahead with the game.

Steve Elworthy, head of communications for the England and Wales Cricket Board, said, "It is business as usual and we are preparing to be ready to go tomorrow.

"We are communicating with the police but the usual protocols are in place."

The riots and looting in London in the last three days forced the cancellation of the football friendly between England and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, England pacer Chris Tremlett has been ruled out of the Test, having failed to recover from a back injury.

Tremlett also missed the second Test, which England won by a huge 319-run margin at Trent Bridge, due to back spasm and a hamstring problem.

The ECB said on its website that Tremlett is not available and will receive ongoing treatment ahead of the fourth Test, scheduled at The Oval, his home ground, on August 18.

Indian and English cricketers had been asked to confine themselves to their hotel rooms ahead of the Test after trouble spread to newer areas in London and nearby places.

A West Midlands police spokesman was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying that at this stage there is no reason to suggest the Test will not go ahead.

Over 200 people have been arrested so far as the police continued to grapple with the violence that started after a person was allegedly killed in police firing on Saturday.

Indian team manager Anirudh Choudhry said the players are watching with concern the developments.

"We were told by the Board to remain where we were last night with instructions to restrict our movement," he said.

In an e-mail later, he said, "All the members of the Indian touring squad are safe and accounted for...the team management is keeping a close watch on the situation."

The Indian team is staying in a central city hotel as is the England team, a part of the town which was the centre of riots.