England will fly to Abu Dhabi on Thursday before resuming their two-Test tour of India, which was in danger of being abandoned in the aftermath of last week’s terror attacks in Mumbai.
”After consulting security advisers and government agencies at the highest level, the England and Wales Cricket Board has determined that England will leave for Abu Dhabi tomorrow [Thursday] to resume their two-Test tour of India,” said an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement.
The first Test, due to take place in Chennai from December 11, and the second in Mohali from December 19, had been in doubt following the Mumbai attacks that left 188 people dead and more than 300 injured.
Kevin Pietersen’s side had returned to Britain last week after the bloodshed when the scheduled last two games of their seven-match one-day international series had been called off.
They had since been waiting to hear the latest information supplied by the team’s security adviser, Reg Dickason, who has been inspecting the revised venues of Chennai and Mohali.
England opener Andrew Strauss said he was happy with the decision.
”To begin with there was a lot of shock and emotion as it seemed close to home,” he told the BBC.
”But after a few days to let things settle down, we’ve been able to look at things logically and objectively — it seems the right thing to do for the game of cricket and for the England team.
”The players I’ve spoken to have been in the same frame of mind as me.”
Ryan Sidebottom, who was named in England’s original 15 man tour party, has been ruled out of the series with a side injury while Stuart Broad will miss the first Test having picked up a hamstring strain.
He will remain in England for physiotherapy and then fly out to Chennai where his fitness will be reviewed ahead of the second Test. — AFP
