ICC trophy is hit by Aussie withdrawal

Holders Australia seem certain to stay away from next month's event if it goes ahead, as scheduled, in Karachi and Lahore because of security fears while England, New Zealand and probably South Africa are expected to follow suit.

After weeks of discussions and security briefings, the Australian Cricketers' Association last night told Ricky Ponting and his team not to travel to Pakistan.

Australia have yet to make a formal announcement but that would appear to be only a matter of time. With players from England, New Zealand and South Africa equally concerned, the International Cricket Council looks as though it will have to decide between holding a weakened tournament in Pakistan or relocating to Sri Lanka.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat continued his attempt to convince the England Cricket Board that it was safe to proceed, saying: "As far as the ICC are concerned, the safety and security is satisfactory for hosting the tournament in Pakistan."

As for changing venues, Lorgat said: "I think we have got to a position where it is very difficult to do it." But he appeared to leave the door ajar by adding: "At this point there is no discussion about a late move. It is speculative until member boards or teams clearly indicate what their view is."

Those 'clear views' are likely to be expressed at any moment because England, among others, remain deeply worried about security issues.

"The whole team have concerns," said England's Karachi-born batsman Owais Shah. "I suppose we are all waiting for a decision to be made by the ECB to see what happens."

Whether or not the Champions Trophy takes place in Pakistan, Shah and the other members of Kevin Pietersen's squad have five one-day internationals-against South Africa to get back on track so far as limited-overs cricket is concerned after losing series home and away to New Zealand.

And, for Middlesex's Shah, there is now the added challenge of batting at No3 in Pietersen's side after the new captain decided he was being wasted further down the order. Provided the dismal weather - which led to today's Twenty20 match at Chester-le-Street being cancelled - finally improves, Shah will walk into his new international role at Headingley on Friday. And he knows this switch of position not only gives him an extra chance to shine in one-day cricket but could also reignite his Test hopes.

"I think it depends on how the next six months go," said Shah. "Nobody really knows what sort of [Test] team they will take to India or to the West Indies this winter," he said. "It depends how much I'm involved in the squad set-up in the longer form of the game. If I am involved then, hopefully, I might be next one in. Watch this space."

Shah did not get a look in while Michael Vaughan was captain, losing out to Ravi Bopara in Sri Lanka last December and then being left on the sidelines again in New Zealand when Andrew Strauss returned. And when Vaughan quit earlier this month, Bopara was again preferred, though he did not make the starting XI at The Oval for the final Test of the summer.

Ahead of any Test talk, though, Shah needs to do the business at No3 in the one-day side. "It's nice for the captain to be backing me to deliver a performance in a key position," he said.