England's ODI series scrapped, Tests hang in balance

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Nov 27 (PTI) The remainder of England's one-day cricket series against India was scrapped on Thursday following the terror attacks in Mumbai which also prompted the organisers of the USD six-million Champions League to postpone the high-profile Twenty20 event.

While England will return home without playing the last
two matches of the seven-ODI series, a final decision on the
fate of the Test series will be taken later with the ECB
making it clear that it would abide by the security advice by
various sources.

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."

The ghastly terror strikes in Mumbai led to a spate of
postponements with the Champions League, scheduled to be held
in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai from December 3 to 10, being
deferred while the rebel Indian cricket League also called off
the World Series event in Ahmedabad. A few other domestic
tournaments and scheduled press conferences were also put off.

Morris said they would be holding discussions with Indian
Cricket Board officials on the Test series which is still
hanging fire.

Apart from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, where terrorist attacks
left over 100 people dead since Wednesday 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.

He later addressed a press conference and said the Test
series would depend on the nature of security advice the team
gets from various sources.

"We are looking at several options and we will go by the
security advisors. If they advise us to play in India, we will
play the Test series. However, the players are desperate and
disturbed over the incidents in Mumbai," he said.

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

Morris said the safety and security of the team could
not be compromised at any stage.

"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. More PTI AAM