England Cricket / Frank Gregan / 01 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The terrorist attacks in Mumbai have seen the England cricket team fly home, with the decision on whether to return or not for the Test matches being left up to the players discretion, not an easy dilemma for KP's men to face according to Frank Gregan.

The return home of the English cricket team in the aftermath of last week's tragic events in Mumbai was to be expected. The players now have the chance to make a balanced judgement as to whether or not they wish to return to India to participate in the two match test series. It has been reported that both cricketing boards are eager for the tests to take place but the reaction from the players has been understandably less enthusiastic.

As ever, there are two sides to every debate and both angles in this instance have considerable merit. There is no doubt that should the players return they will be putting themselves into a theatre of considerable danger. Despite all the rhetoric there is no way that the safety of the players can be guaranteed. Counter measures to threat assessments can be put in place and risks minimised but no counter terrorist procedures are 100% safe.

KP and his men are professional cricketers, not soldiers. Members of our Armed Forces are serving in areas of conflict throughout the world but to a man (and woman) they are all volunteers and there by choice. Kevin Pietersen has made it clear that the decision on whether or not to return to India will be left to the individual. However, in the first instance the ECB will doubtlessly be canvassing the opinions of their staff before deciding if the tour can go ahead.

It will be awkward if the consensus is to return but with some players exercising their right to stay at home. The chances of the squad being unanimous are slim but those who opt out must surely be given the support of their team-mates and no stigma attached to their decision. It will of course mean a weakened England team and also that an opportunity will present itself to players who in career terms cannot afford to turn down the opportunity despite any misgivings they may hold. Difficult decisions have to be made.

There is also the train of thought that the ECB are honour bound to send the team back. Failure to do so will be an admission that the terrorists have succeeded and that normality is unlikely to be restored for some time. Those that believe that also maintain that the calibre of the side is irrelevant, participation is all that matters.

The players are back with their families and the majority of them have young children. Christmas is less than four weeks away and it will be a great tug on the heartstrings to return to the tour now. There are rumours that a number of the players have already decided that they will not be going back. The threat to them now is no longer generic, British passport holders were actively sort out last week and the English cricket team is a high profile and likely target.

It's a dilemma and one that is going to be tough to call. The only thing that must happen is that the decision must be taken quickly. Both cricketing boards need to support one another and put on a united front once the decision is announced. The players have to weigh up all the factors and do what they believe is right. It is one more consequence of a dreadful tragedy.