Sport | Cricket
England call off India cricket tour
England has cancelled its cricket tour of India in the wake of terror attacks that have killed at least 101 people in Mumbai.
- AP
- Published: 10:56 November 27, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- England was playing a seven match series in India
New Delhi: England has cancelled its cricket tour of India in the wake of terror attacks that have killed at least 101 people in Mumbai.
While the English squad remained in Cuttack, where it lost on Wednesday night to go 5-0 down in a seven match limited-overs series, England and Wales Cricket Board officials met on Thursday morning with the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The Press Trust of India reported that the tour, which still had two limited-overs internationals and two test matches remaining on the itinerary, had been cancelled.
The ECB released a statement via text message confirming it had agreed to postpone the 6th and 7th one-day internationals and that the team would remain in Bhubaneswar, near Cuttack, for 24 hours pending further talks.
A high-ranking BCCI official, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorised to comment to the media, told the The Associated Press that the tour had been cancelled and a formal statement would be released later on Thursday.
The Champions League Twenty20 tournament, due to start next Wednesday in Mumbai, could also be be scrapped. Officials were not available to comment, but Australian and English provincial clubs had already postponed leaving for India.
Terrorists took Westerners hostage in the coordinated overnight attacks across the southern India city. One of the luxury hotels in flames, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, was where English country side Middlesex planned to stay for the Champions Trophy.
The England national squad stayed at the hotel two weeks and was due to return there on Dec. 16, three days ahead of the second test.
Has the England team over-reacted with the cancellation of their India tour? Do you think they will be coming back for the 2-test series in mid-December?
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