By IANS,
Melbourne : Cricket Australia (CA) Monday decided to go ahead with its tour to India irrespective of their security concerns following serial blasts in Delhi Saturday.
CA said the squad will travel to India Sunday as planned earlier.
“Our position is that the tour is going ahead unless we are otherwise persuaded,” CA’s general manager of public affairs Peter Young was quoted in the Australian media.
“Our advice is there are some concerns and to exercise caution, but currently they do not compromise the tour. Our plan is to depart on Sep 21 subject to our advice.”
CA officials will meet representatives from the Australian government’s department of foreign affairs Monday afternoon to receive an update on the safety situation in India. Michael Brown, CA general manager of cricket, will also receive a report Tuesday from Reg Dickason, the team’s security advisor.
Australia is scheduled to play warm-up games in Jaipur and Hyderabad before heading to Bangalore for the opening Test on Oct 9. Bombs have gone off in all these three places in past one year.
While CA will continue to discuss the issue with their security advisers, the government and the Indian board, more information on the situation in the country is available from members of the Australia A squad.
Australia A team is currently in Hyderabad for a one-day tri-series and the first match was against against New Zealand A Monday. Young said the team wanted to stay and play.
“In consultation with the BCCI, we have upgraded security in and around the dressing rooms and they will have an escort to the ground,” Young said.
“They have also been told not to leave the hotel without good reason. It’s just a matter of prudence. The squad is travelling with a security advisor who is part of Dickason’s team.”