ICC urges fans to join the body in supporting Ind-Eng series

Dubai, Dec 7 (PTI) The International Cricket Council
(ICC) has urged fans to support the India-England Test series
by attending the upcoming two matches along with its President
David Morgan and Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and demostrate
an united front against terrorism.

The future of the India-England series came under cloud
following last month's terrorist attacks in India's financial
capital Mumbai that killed almost 200 people. The attacks
later forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
to shift venues of both the Tests to Chennai and Mohali from
Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

Soon after the attacks, England, trailing 0-5, abandoned
the last two One-dayers against India and left for home.
However, a series of assurances about full proof security from
Indian officials later forced the English team management to
rethink about touring India.

A 35-member strong English contingent, along with players
from Performance squad, is presently stationed for a training
camp in Abu Dhabi and would take a final call later Sunday
after consulting security consultant Reg Dickason.

"ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat will be in Chennai for
the first Test and I will be in Mohali to show the ICC's
support for India and the two teams.

"I would urge as many supporters as possible to join us
during the series, not only because they will see two
excellent sides playing Test cricket, the pinnacle of our
sport, but also because by doing so we will demonstrate that
we will not be dictated to by terrorists," Morgan said in a
statement.

"I believe the Test series will be a clear demonstration
of the resilience of the Indian people and the game of cricket
and an illustration that the game has the ability to bring
people together," he added.

The ICC President said safety and security of all stake
holders is of paramount importance to the world body.

"Safety and security of the players, officials and
spectators must be the key consideration at all times. But if
security assessments indicate that the measures put in place
are appropriate then we - players, officials and all
stakeholders - have a duty to ensure cricket takes place," he
said.

"I have been in regular contact with both the president
of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Shashank Manohar
and Giles Clarke, the England and Wales Cricket Board's
chairman, and it is clear they both want to play the matches
if at all possible.

"The players have also demonstrated an acceptance of
their role in trying to put a smile back on the face of a
country that has undergone a horrendous experience," Morgan
added.