Full-strength England head to Abu Dhabi

England will fly to Abu Dhabi on Thursday with a view to resuming their tour of India if they receive the requisite security clearance. A full-strength squad, minus the injured Ryan Sidebottom, has been named despite concerns that some players would opt out, and they will train in the Middle East before heading to Chennai early next week ahead of the first Test on December 11.

However, the onward trip from Abu Dhabi is still subject to Reg Dickason's assessment of the security plans in India. Dickason inspected the venue of the first Test in Chennai on Wednesday and said that his security concerns have been addressed. He is scheduled to visit Mohali, the venue of the second Test, later. The security consultant will, meanwhile, hold meetings in India with Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket, and Sean Morris, the chief executive of England's Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA).

Hugh Morris and Sean Morris will then fly to Abu Dhabi to confirm to the ECB and the players that the added security recommendations are in place for the tour to begin.

All the players have received reports from the ECB security team and also the recommendations that Dickason has insisted the BCCI in India put in place, which include a heavy police and commando presence around the team

"The only consideration in all our discussions has been the safety and security of the team and support staff," said Hugh Morris. "We have been delighted by the input of the PCA and also the willingness of the BCCI to act upon our recommendations regarding security.

"While we have sought to reassure players that their safety is paramount we have not pressurised any player into making the trip against their will. Those who leave for Abu Dhabi are all anticipating travelling to India if both Sean and I are happy that Reg Dickason's security plans have been activated. The board and players will be kept fully informed."

There had been speculation that some players would opt out even if the tour went ahead, but Hugh Morris said that a few days at home had allowed them to clear their minds. "The players have been fantastic over the last few days," he told Sky Sports. "The reason we came back from India in the first place was to take some time to reflect. We have all been able to do that."

Sean Morris added: "The PCA and ECB have worked extremely closely on this issue and the players have been fully supportive throughout. We will access the highest calibre of security advice on a regular basis so that we can provide the players with the latest accurate information."

"I have been assured by the ECB that they would never compromise the players' safety and security. Hugh and I are travelling to India this weekend to confirm for the players that the security is of the high standard that the ECB and PCA demand."

Sidebottom, who was named in England's original 15-man tour party, has been ruled out of the series with a side injury. Stuart Broad will miss the first Test having picked up a hamstring strain in Cuttack during the fifth ODI. He will remain in England for intensive physiotherapy and then fly out to Chennai where his fitness will be reviewed ahead of the second Test.

The 14-man Test squad will be supplemented by nine players from the Academy team.

Squad Kevin Pietersen (capt), Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah, Andrew Flintoff, Tim Ambrose, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad (flying straight to Chennai), Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Monty Panesar.

Additional players Ravi Bopara, Mark Davies, Robbie Joseph, Amjad Khan, Sajid Mahmood, Samit Patel, Liam Plunkett, Ollie Rayner, Alan Richardson.

© Cricinfo

England tour hangs on security report

England's tour of India looks set to go ahead with reports of a warm-up match taking place in Abu Dhabi and Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, saying cricket will not be dictated to by terrorists. However, the availability of England players for the two-Test series still depends on a security assessment this week and the Daily Telegraph has reported that "at least five or six" players may pull out.

Reg Dickason, the ECB's security advisor, arrived in Chennai on Wednesday morning to inspect the venue and the team hotel for the first Test starting on December 11. He will also visit Mohali, venue of the second Test, before preparing a report on the safety situation in the country and the security measures in place for the touring team, BCCI officials said.

"Reg is going to Chennai and we are awaiting his reports," Clarke was reported as saying by AFP. "The security advice we are receiving has not changed and we are getting a lot of help and cooperation from everyone in India. A lot of progress has been made and some extremely good and constructive meetings have taken place. The BCCI is doing all it can to facilitate the tour, but we must do what we have to do properly and thoroughly. It is what every England player wants and deserves.

"Under no circumstances will we allow our cricket to be dictated to by terrorists. India is an enormous country and there are large parts of it that have never seen terrorist activity. In 2005 [when terrorists attacked parts of London], the Aussies were sensible and we are doing the same here." The National newspaper reported from Abu Dhabi that the England team would arrive in the UAE on Thursday amid strict security.

However, the Daily Telegraph quoted Dominic Cork, the former England fast bowler, as saying he expected a significant number of players to opt out of the tour. "I know of at least five or six players who are going to turn their backs on England," Cork said. "Those I've spoken to are traumatised."

BCCI sources told Cricinfo that Dickason "had sent a set of conditions before his arrival and during the inspection these things will be discussed". The requirements are believed to involve blanket security from Indian special forces. The Hindustan Times reported that the ECB had asked the BCCI for a group of commandos to accompany the team at all times along with an emergency evacuation plan in case of a terrorist strike and a security blanket over England's dressing rooms. Meanwhile, the Indian selectors are expected to meet in Chennai on Thursday to pick the team for the two Tests.

The ECB, which has been in close consultation with the British Foreign Office since the team returned home, has reiterated that the entire tour decision rests on the outcome of the security report, and it will not be rushed into making a final announcement. According to Sky Sports, however, the team has been told that the decision now rests with the players themselves.

Sean Morris, the England players' association (PCA) chief, is believed to have attended a Foreign Office briefing on Tuesday, along with the ECB's managing director Hugh Morris, and was due to meet with the players later in the day to discuss the issues. The PCA's "No. 1 consideration" remains the security report that is still awaited from Dickason, Morris said.

Giles Clarke: "Under no circumstances will we allow our cricket to be dictated to by terrorists" © AFP


The Indian board shifted the two Tests from their original venues - Ahmedabad and Mumbai - to Chennai and Mohali following the terrorist strikes in Mumbai. Despite the itinerary changes, the ECB could send a weakened squad to return to India with at least three senior players believed to be against touring. They are Andrew Flintoff, who also suffered an ankle injury during last week's fifth ODI, James Anderson, whose wife is pregnant, and Steve Harmison.

The prospect of England returning to India was not welcomed by everyone. Speaking to BBC Radio Four, the former ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin, spoke out against a resumption of the tour. "I think the ECB will probably say yes and I think it will be very sad," he said. "I don't think any security people can actually say it's going to be safe. If it was left to me, I wouldn't go."

However, Nasser Hussain, who captained England's tour of India in 2001-02 shortly after the September 11 attacks in New York, wrote in the Daily Mail that the team had an obligation to get back out there and make a statement. "The country is so important to cricket and to the Indian people that we owe it to them to go back and play, as long as every possible precaution has been taken."

© Cricinfo