ID :
33180
Sun, 11/30/2008 - 20:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/33180
The shortlink copeid
KP ready to return if security adviser okays Test series
London, Nov 30 (PTI) Most of his teammates may have
developed cold feet but England captain Kevin Pietersen said
he would return to India for the Test series, provided
security adviser Reg Dickason okays the tour.
Back in the comfort of his family, Pietersen said he
could not sleep since terror struck Mumbai but asserted
terrorism should not be allowed to play spoilsport.
"We can't allow these cowards to run our game," Pietersen
wrote in today's 'News of the World'.
"It puts it all into perspective when you see blood on
the streets. But if Reg gives us the OK, then I'll be back for
the two Test matches and complete the tour.
"He has been around the block and I trust his judgement
100 per cent. If he says it is safe to go back to India for
the First Test in 11 days, then you can count me in," added
the England captain.
Pietersen, however, made it clear that he would not force
any teammate to join the touring party.
"It is a brutal situation and a world tragedy. So if any
of the lads decide they don't want to return, then that's fine
with me — they have got wives and kids to think about," he
said.
Horrified by what he saw on television, Pietersen said it
was a close shave for the English cricketers.
"We were on the team bus coming back from Cuttack when we
heard news of the horrific slaughter of innocent people in
Mumbai.
"We were 800 miles from the attack but suddenly we felt
very vulnerable, especially as we had stayed at the targeted
Taj Mahal Hotel just two weeks ago," he said.
"We were due to go back there for the Second Test — all
our whites and blazers for the Test matches are still in there
somewhere.
"...I will never forget it. I was walking down those
steps only days ago to have a quick drink with a mate on his
boat now they are the scene of a tragedy," Pietersen said.
"It could have been one or all of us being carried out in
a body bag. And when you see something like that you sense
danger around every corner," he added.
"And when you hear that the terrorists are singling out
English tourists it sends a shiver down your spine. In
cricket-mad India who could be more high profile than the
England team?
"And who could be more high profile than their captain?
It makes my blood run cold," Pietersen said.
The South African-born cricketer said as England captain,
he was ready to face any opposition but certainly not
terrorists.
"You don't expect to have to deal with tragedies like
this when you take on the captaincy...Field placing, bowling
changes, declarations and bad light you expect — not
cold-blooded murder," he said.
Emotionally drained by the episode, Pietersen plans to
attend Sunday's Chelsea vs Arsenal match to take his mind off
the incident.
"Before we decide what we are going to do I'm going to
take time out to go to Stamford Bridge to cheer on my mate
Frank Lampard Sunday.
"I need something to take my mind off this carnage,"
Pietersen said. PTI AY
PMR
developed cold feet but England captain Kevin Pietersen said
he would return to India for the Test series, provided
security adviser Reg Dickason okays the tour.
Back in the comfort of his family, Pietersen said he
could not sleep since terror struck Mumbai but asserted
terrorism should not be allowed to play spoilsport.
"We can't allow these cowards to run our game," Pietersen
wrote in today's 'News of the World'.
"It puts it all into perspective when you see blood on
the streets. But if Reg gives us the OK, then I'll be back for
the two Test matches and complete the tour.
"He has been around the block and I trust his judgement
100 per cent. If he says it is safe to go back to India for
the First Test in 11 days, then you can count me in," added
the England captain.
Pietersen, however, made it clear that he would not force
any teammate to join the touring party.
"It is a brutal situation and a world tragedy. So if any
of the lads decide they don't want to return, then that's fine
with me — they have got wives and kids to think about," he
said.
Horrified by what he saw on television, Pietersen said it
was a close shave for the English cricketers.
"We were on the team bus coming back from Cuttack when we
heard news of the horrific slaughter of innocent people in
Mumbai.
"We were 800 miles from the attack but suddenly we felt
very vulnerable, especially as we had stayed at the targeted
Taj Mahal Hotel just two weeks ago," he said.
"We were due to go back there for the Second Test — all
our whites and blazers for the Test matches are still in there
somewhere.
"...I will never forget it. I was walking down those
steps only days ago to have a quick drink with a mate on his
boat now they are the scene of a tragedy," Pietersen said.
"It could have been one or all of us being carried out in
a body bag. And when you see something like that you sense
danger around every corner," he added.
"And when you hear that the terrorists are singling out
English tourists it sends a shiver down your spine. In
cricket-mad India who could be more high profile than the
England team?
"And who could be more high profile than their captain?
It makes my blood run cold," Pietersen said.
The South African-born cricketer said as England captain,
he was ready to face any opposition but certainly not
terrorists.
"You don't expect to have to deal with tragedies like
this when you take on the captaincy...Field placing, bowling
changes, declarations and bad light you expect — not
cold-blooded murder," he said.
Emotionally drained by the episode, Pietersen plans to
attend Sunday's Chelsea vs Arsenal match to take his mind off
the incident.
"Before we decide what we are going to do I'm going to
take time out to go to Stamford Bridge to cheer on my mate
Frank Lampard Sunday.
"I need something to take my mind off this carnage,"
Pietersen said. PTI AY
PMR
