MacLaurin: England should not return to India

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Talks were continuing today on whether Kevin Pietersen and his team would return to the sub-continent following last week's terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

England's one-day squad returned home on Saturday while security reports were compiled on the threat to the team if they return for the two-Test series starting on 11 December.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India have already changed the itinerary to reassure the tourists, with the first match taking place in Chennai while the second has been moved from Mumbai to Mohali.

The ECB continued discussions today with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who will advise them of their own intelligence and allow Lord's officials to make a considered decision.

Security consultant Reg Dickason, who has acted as an advisor to the team for several years, has already flown out to Chennai and his findings will play a key role in England's considerations.

The BCCI's decision to change the itinerary is believed by many to have removed the final hurdle to England's return, although the delay in making
the decision has minimised the preparation time they will get should they decide to resume the tour.

"I think the ECB will probably say yes and I think it will be very sad," admitted MacLaurin.

"I don't think any security people can actually say it's going to be safe. If it was left to me, I wouldn't go." And MacLaurin claimed he would have every sympathy if any of the England players decided they did not want to return.

"I don't think anybody has a duty to go back," he told Radio 5Live.

"These terrorists have specifically targeted British people and American people. I fully understand the players, especially those with families, might think this is a step too far."

Record-breaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who was born in Mumbai and has a restaurant very close to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, has revealed he could not sleep when news first came through of the incidents.

"I couldn't sleep all this time," he said. "I am numb, the images keep playing in my head. This was just not an attack on Mumbai — it is an attack on India."