England should go back to India for Tests, say former captains

London, Nov 29 (PTI) Former England captains Bob Willis
and David Gower have joined Ian Botham and Mike Atherton in
urging the English team to return to India and play the
two-Test series next month.

Willis and Gower backed the decision to abandon the
one-day series but felt if England do not return to India for
the two Tests the same treatment could be meted out to them by
visiting sides when such a situation arises in the country.

"If India is deemed safe before first Test in Ahmedabad
on December 11 and the second in Chennai, they should go and
play. Otherwise no one will come to England -- teams will say
we are as much a terrorist target as any country. I hope that
within a fortnight, things will have settled down," he said.

Former captains Ian Botham and Mike Atherton Friday had
urged England and Wales Cricket Board to continue the Test
series scheduled to start on December 11 in Ahmedabad.

Willis gave an example of the England squad, including
himself, continuing to tour India in 1984-85 when former Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated.

"England players stayed on in 1984-85 when Mrs Gandhi and
Percy Norris, the deputy British High Commissioner, were
assassinated. But I can understand reluctance of any cricketer
to go into areas where there have been terrorist attacks. As
Westerners are being targeted, it is sensible for the team to
leave," Willis was quoted as saying by 'The Times'.

Skipper of the English squad in that 1984-85 tour, Gower,
said, "I would understand if there are doubts about staying on
but I would expect that if the players went back to different
areas of the country, they would be fine. I would almost
suggest that if they go back to Bombay, they would be fine.
India will provide full security, even though they will find
it hard to get this out of their minds."

"We talked about coming home when Percy Norris was killed
-- we had had drinks with him only the night before. But we
knew security would be tight enough," Gower said.

Former England spinner Derek Underwood, who is now the
President of the Marleybone Cricket Club, also echoed similar
feelings and said, "The Tests have been organised and there
will be repercussions if we do not play in them. But the
security has to be right and I think there is less chance of
these matches being played now they are returning home.

"There were riots and the deportation of President Bhutto
in my days as a touring player, but we did not have a fear
that we were going to be bombed. If I was playing now, I would
be pleased to get out." PTI SSC
PMR
NNNN