By NNN-PTI,
London : The England team, which arrived here late Saturday night, will know by Monday whether to return to India to play the two-match Test series, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Managing Director Hugh Morris said.
Speaking to newspersons at the Heathrow airport after the team’s arrival, Morris said a security risk assessment report of returning to India will be available within 48 hours and a decision will be made after that.
The report will be prepared with inputs from team security consultant Reg Dickason, talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Morris reiterated that if the team’s safety was guaranteed, it would return for the two Tests in Ahmedabad (December 11-15) and Chennai (December 19-23).
“We have come back to assess the safety and security situation in India. We have a team of people that we rely on for our safety and security information. They’re pulling that information together over the next 24 to 48 hours and, clearly, we’ll assess that information when we have it.
“Clearly, we are committed to going back and playing in a Test series if it is safe to do so,” he said.
“Would I go back? If it was safe and secure, absolutely.” Morris, however, said no player would be forced to return against their will.
“I do not think we would force anybody to do anything. I would not, if somebody felt strongly, force their arm. They would have the necessary information to make an informed decision but that would be a personal choice.”