England's one-day series called off, decision on Tests later

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Nov 27 (PTI) England's remaining two matches of the one-day cricket series against India was today abruptly called off following the terror attacks in Mumbai but a final decision on the fate of the Test series will be taken later.

After a prolonged meeting with top ECB officials and the
England team management, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan told a
press conference in Bhubaneswar that the Guwahati and New
Delhi one-dayers have been called off in view of the security
apprehensions expressed by the visiting team.

"BCCI has accepted ECB's request to postpone the Guwahati
and Delhi one-dayers, said Srinivasan who held a lengthy
discussion with ECB Managing Director Hugh Morris, visiting
skipper Kevin Pietersen, coach Peter Moores and team manager
Reg Dickason.

Regarding the fate of the two-match Test series scheduled
to start in Ahmedabad from December 11, the BCCI secretary
said, "We hope they will come to play the Test matches."

Morris, on his part said they would be holding
discussions with Indian Cricket Board officials on the Test
series.

Apart from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, where terrorist attacks
left over 100 people dead since last night, is one of the
venues for the two-match Test series.

"This morning I held initial discussions with the BCCI
Secretary N Srinivasan, as well as representatives from the
Indian team management at the team hotel in Bhubaneswar. I
have also briefed the England players and management on the
situation as well as liaising closely with the ECB Chairman
and chief executive and the players' representatives," said
Morris in a statement released on the ECB website.

"The events of last night were deeply distressing and the
situation is still unfolding. We are urgently seeking
information from expert sources regarding Wednesday night's
attacks and will continue to hold further discussions with our
colleagues from the BCCI over the next 24 hours," the
statement read.

"The safety and security of the England team is of the
utmost importance to ECB. We have reviewed all our security
arrangements in the light of these attacks and will be taking
all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the
team.

"On behalf of the Board and the England team, we would
like to express our condolences to the families and friends of
those people who were killed or injured in last nights'
attacks," Morris said.

On the fate of the Champions Twenty20 League that has
also been jeopardised following the terror attacks, Srinivasan
said, "We are evaluating what to do on that matter".

Hotel sources said the England team is scheduled to
return home tomorrow while the Indian players are expected to
leave town today in batches, one moving to Delhi and the other
to Mumbai.

A top BCCI source said that India was ready to call off
the one-day tour but wants England to visit the country a few
weeks later for the two-match Test series.

The England team management has conveyed the BCCI
proposal to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) top
brass who will discuss the proposal and get back to the
Indian Board.

England have so far played five one-dayers and have lost
all the matches to trail the seven-match series 0-5. PTI AAM
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