Australia on track for India tour
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Australia's Test squad still plans to depart for India Sunday despite increased fears over security following deadly bomb attacks in New Delhi Saturday. Cricket Australia officials were due to meet with representatives from the Australian government's department of foreign affairs Monday afternoon to receive an update on the safety situation in India, reports Cricinfo.
Michael Brown, Cricket Australia's general manager of cricket, will also receive a report Tuesday from Reg Dickason, the team's security advisor, but a spokesman said there had been no change to the schedule for the four-Test series.
"Our position is that the tour is going ahead unless we are otherwise persuaded," Peter Young, Cricket Australia's general manager of public affairs, told the news agency.
"Our advice is there are some concerns and to exercise caution, but currently they do not compromise the tour. Our plan is to depart on September 21 subject to our advice."
Stephen Smith, Australia's foreign minister, said the final decision on the tour, as in the past, would be taken by Cricket Australia.
"We'll provide them with all of our up-to-date travel and assessment advisories. They are also, as I understand it, getting their own independent security advice which is what they do on a regular basis."
Australia have scheduled warm-up games in Jaipur and Hyderabad, where bombs have gone off over the past year, before heading to Bangalore, where one person was killed in attacks in July, for the opening Test on October 9.
While Cricket Australia will continue to discuss the issue with their security advisers, the government and the Indian board, more information on the situation in the country is available from members of the Australia A squad.
The outfit is currently in Hyderabad, 1500km south of New Delhi, for a one-day tri-series and the first match will be against New Zealand A Monday. Young said the team wanted to stay and play.
"In consultation with the BCCI, we have upgraded security in and around the dressing rooms and they will have an escort to the ground," Young said.
"They have also been told not to leave the hotel without good reason. It's just a matter of prudence." The squad is travelling with a security advisor who is part of Dickason's team.
The Australian Cricketers' Association does not believe the danger in India is as bad as in neighbouring Pakistan, but Paul Marsh, the chief executive, said he expected "heat" if Australia toured.
"If the team stays in India, there might be some who criticise us for double standards," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Michael Brown, Cricket Australia's general manager of cricket, will also receive a report Tuesday from Reg Dickason, the team's security advisor, but a spokesman said there had been no change to the schedule for the four-Test series.
"Our position is that the tour is going ahead unless we are otherwise persuaded," Peter Young, Cricket Australia's general manager of public affairs, told the news agency.
"Our advice is there are some concerns and to exercise caution, but currently they do not compromise the tour. Our plan is to depart on September 21 subject to our advice."
Stephen Smith, Australia's foreign minister, said the final decision on the tour, as in the past, would be taken by Cricket Australia.
"We'll provide them with all of our up-to-date travel and assessment advisories. They are also, as I understand it, getting their own independent security advice which is what they do on a regular basis."
Australia have scheduled warm-up games in Jaipur and Hyderabad, where bombs have gone off over the past year, before heading to Bangalore, where one person was killed in attacks in July, for the opening Test on October 9.
While Cricket Australia will continue to discuss the issue with their security advisers, the government and the Indian board, more information on the situation in the country is available from members of the Australia A squad.
The outfit is currently in Hyderabad, 1500km south of New Delhi, for a one-day tri-series and the first match will be against New Zealand A Monday. Young said the team wanted to stay and play.
"In consultation with the BCCI, we have upgraded security in and around the dressing rooms and they will have an escort to the ground," Young said.
"They have also been told not to leave the hotel without good reason. It's just a matter of prudence." The squad is travelling with a security advisor who is part of Dickason's team.
The Australian Cricketers' Association does not believe the danger in India is as bad as in neighbouring Pakistan, but Paul Marsh, the chief executive, said he expected "heat" if Australia toured.
"If the team stays in India, there might be some who criticise us for double standards," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.