England's cricketers will not be forced to return to India to play in the two Tests following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the England and Wales Cricket Board said tonight. The team returned to London today after cutting short the one-day series against India in the wake of the attacks this week which have left 195 people dead, including one Briton. Two Tests were scheduled to be played before Christmas, but it will now depend on a thorough security assessment.
At a press conference at Heathrow airport tonight, the ECB's managing director Hugh Morris was asked whether the players would take part in the tour if the green light was given to return. "I do not think we would force anybody to do anything," said Morris, but added: "We are committed to going back, to playing in the Test series assuming it is safe to do so."
Morris, who offered his condolences to all those affected in the attacks, said any decision would depend on the security advice. One of the main targets was the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, where England stayed at the start of their tour and were due to return for the second Test.
Morris will receive security reports over the next two days but already the venue of the second Test has been moved from Mumbai to Chennai in a bid to calm fears. The first Test is scheduled to start on December 11 in Ahmedabad.
However he admitted the players were concerned about the current situation. "There's a degree of nervousness, there's no doubt about that," said Morris. "That's only natural. It's affected everybody."
