Safe Luxury

Are English cricketers safe from terrorists back home in England? Why abandon a series, playing safe or...?

Former England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief Ian Charter MacLaurin said that security dangers are too obvious for the England team to return to India for the Test series. 'The England cricket team are very high-profile individuals. If these fanatics are going to target people then the England players could be a very big target for them,' MacLaurin was quoted as saying by the The Daily Telegraph. 'My own view is that I would be very, very surprised if the security people will give them the OK to go back. For myself, I don't think they should go back. I think it is sad for cricket, but the safety of our players is absolutely paramount. I am sure that the ECB will take the same view,' he added. 'There have been terror attacks on England in the past, and cricket matches have still been played soon afterwards. That begs the question of whether a precedent has been set. I am sure the players and the ECB will take good advice from the Foreign Office as to how safe the players will be,' said, Vikram Solanki, the Worcestershire captain, who was born in India and has played both for Rajasthan's state team and Mumbai Champs in the Indian Cricket League. Former Test captains like Bob Willis and David Gower felt that the series must continue. 'If the country is deemed safe before the first Test in Ahmedabad on December 11 and the second in Chennai, they should go and play. Otherwise no one will come to England - teams will say we are as much a terrorist target as any country. I hope that within a fortnight, things will be settled down,' Willis was quoted as saying by the London Times. ‘But we know security would be tight enough. I would almost suggest that if they went back to Bombay, they would be fine. India will provide full security, even though they will find it hard to get this out of their minds,' Gower said. Derek Underwood, the former England spin bowler, who is now president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), said that there will be serious repercussions if England abandons the series.

Public Comments

1. Considering everything it is difficult to blame the English. To their credit they haven't cancelled the series, but for the time being they want to be away from all this. Understandable, and we Indians too may not be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it. Give it some time
2. I think beyond the obvious.it is just that they have lost the series of ODI but people from Guwahati were still awaiting their presence.CCB has taken the opportunity to make the world feel about their presence.
3. the aussie team kept on the ashes in 2005 despite the bombings in london so i think this tour also continue by considering that India is not otherwise a unsafe place.
4. ,.. even London is not a safe place ,.After world trade centre bomb.......i guess cheers~
5. They should have continued the series in the interest of the game. However, their concern and fear is understandable. At least they stayed a couple of days in India. If it were Aussie Cricketers, they would have taken the very first flight available, even if it is going to the Mars. The English cricketers would have landed safely and be at their home now. Please understand, the English Cricketer were too small bugs for the Pakistani terrorists. It is only the bloated English Cricketers think that they are big and somebody important. They wanted to damage India's reputation as well as score points in the Islamic countries as Jihadi for there were a number of Jews and people from Israel were killed. They were having some religious function at Nariman House. Let us pray for the sould of nearly 300+ killed to rest in eternal peace. Killing of UK and US citizens were incidental. Moreover, Pakistan knows that both US and UK are their buddies and would not mind losing a few of their individual.. Pakistani authorities no action would be contemplated against them by either of the Governments of by the people of these countries. Pakistani lobby in US is very strong to scotch any action. Moreover, Bush would not have understood what happened and Obama is not in power. Even if he is in power, he would not have taken any action as traditionally Democrats are anti-Indian
6. Life comes before sport, simple as that. Its not just the threat I think you need to repect those who have tragically lost their lifes and those that they have left behind.
7. What a stupid question is this? Will you take the responsibility if anything happens to them?
8. ECB should discuss with their players
9. fear....
10. India is still not safe, terrorist still at large and who knows where they scattered around india,,, foreigners are clearly the target wether english, aussies or any other countries, be a tourist, business deligates or whatever... a few aussies are still missing and feared dead.... so i'd say before sending any sportsmen/women to india one should reconsider it and give a deep thought about it... it's no sense risking lives just for the sakes of sports.
11. The ECB should consult the players,as at the end of the day they are the ones who need to make the decision to play or not. I personally don't think any player will perform to his full potential whilst he is worried and not feeling safe on the pitch.
12. there is no place in earth which is 100% safe even London was attacked on 7th July 2005 , and Australian players didn't abandon the ashes series during that time England players need to be more mentally strong,india is big country and mumbai is pretty far from their test venues re assigned by Bcci message to kevin peterson &andrew flintooff even likes of sachin ,rahul dravid ,sehwag have kids ,they r more at risk than both of you (especially sachin who was threatened by a terrorist group) if u cant visit India,then pls stay back,we need brave England players,