ECB confident over security for India tour

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tim Lamb believes India has "too much to lose" to allow a security breach during England's planned tour of the country, which is due to begin next month.

The ECB organised a seminar with Sir Rob Young, the British High Commissioner to India, at a London hotel on Tuesday and the England players and ECB officials feel the input was positive.

The players, led by captain Nasser Hussain, believe they will be ready to give their decision on whether or not to tour India by Friday.

The players fear they could be targets for reprisals given Britain's involvement in the US-led attacks on Afghanistan.

The British Foreign Office has advised UK nationals to keep a low profile in India.

Young spoke to members of the England squad, which is due to fly out to India on November 14, to try to persuade them it is safe to tour India despite the situation in Afghanistan.

Although there are "understandable concerns" among the players, the ECB is confident there will be a full complement of players touring India.

Lamb said: "The level of security surrounding the British team will be very high. I am very confident in the Indian government's ability to protect the players.

"They have a huge amount to lose if anything were to happen to an England cricket team. It would be a huge embarrassment to them."

Lamb confirmed there would be adequate insurance cover on the logistical side of the tour and said he and ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin would themselves travel to India.

But the players are aware there are potentially still problems, whatever level of security is provided.

Richard Bevan, players' representative from Team England and the Professional Cricketers' Association said: "We know that wherever you travel in the world there is no way that security can be absolutely guaranteed. It would be crazy to try to do so.

"Normally, there is only a one percent chance of anything happening when you go to India. It is now a question of assessing that.

"Players will assess their positions on an individual basis after speaking to their families.

"They feel that they will be ready to deliver their decision by Friday lunchtime."

MORE INFORMATION

Batsman Mark Butcher said: "We've heard a lot about security and we have more information than before. We are going to come back in a couple of days to discuss the final decision but in the meantime we are going to speak with our families."

"We've listened to what they had to say and they have listened to us," said all-rounder Craig White. "There is no security trouble and it was nice of them to come and speak with us, we've got to discuss this now with our family and friends and we've got time to come to a decision."

White said last week he was reluctant to travel to India for a tour which includes three Test matches and, after the players return to England for Christmas, a one-day series in January.

Fast bowler Darren Gough, who was not available for the Test tour but was named in the one-day squad, said the meeting had been worthwhile.

"They (the New Delhi High Commission) had some interesting things to say, we all listened and we've got to make decisions on the information we've got," Gough added.

"They made some good points and they said that we are basically safe. Personally, I'm not available for the Test tour but we'll have to see how the security situation is."

Mail Cricket Editor