England were to fly to Abu Dhabi yesterday 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,” an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement said.
The first Test, due to take place in Chennai from Thursday next week, and the second in Mohali from Dec. 19, had been in doubt following the Mumbai attacks which left 188 people dead and over 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 advisor Reg Dickason who has been inspecting the revised venues of Chennai and Mohali.
“Yesterday [Tuesday] Hugh Morris, managing director [of] England Cricket, outlined to the England players that the tour would go ahead subject to security recommendations being implemented,” the statement added.
“The England Test squad will therefore practice in Abu Dhabi and will fly on to India early next week for the two Test matches in Chennai and Mohali if the security recommendations have been implemented,” it said. “All the players have received reports from the ECB security team and also the recommendations that Reg Dickason, the team security adviser, has insisted the Board of Control for Cricket in India put in place.”
While England are practicing in Abu Dhabi, Hugh Morris and Sean Morris, of the Professional Cricketers Association, will consult with Dickason in India. The two will then fly to Abu Dhabi to brief the players.
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