1 Dec 2008

ICC urges England to return to India

6:42 am on 1 December 2008

The International Cricket Council has urged England to play next month's test series in India if player safety concerns are addressed in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.

Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat says if those tests are played he would also urge supporters of the game to attend them as that will be the best way to send a message to those who seek to disrupt their way of life, that we will not be prevented from doing what we want or what we enjoy.

England returned home at the weekend after the last two games of their one-day series in India were called off after the attacks in Mumbai which killed almost 200 people.

Both national boards agreed England will return to play the two-test series, starting on December 11th, with India also switching the second test from Mumbai to Chennai.

However, some England players are still said to have safety concerns.

The ICC chief executive committee will discuss security challenges for the game when it meets in Cape Town next week.

The ruling body already has major security concerns in Pakistan and postponed the September Champions Trophy until late next year after a possible boycott by five of the eight teams.