International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat has pleaded with England's stars to return to India for the two-Test series. England flew back to London on Saturday after the final two one-day internationals against India were cancelled in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. But Kevin Pietersen's team was expected to return for the first Test starting on Dec. 11 in Ahmedabad. That match could be moved to Kolkata with the second Test already switched from Mumbai to Chennai, but Pietersen's players won't decide whether to return until they are given security advice from the England and Wales Cricket Board. After expressing his horror at the events, Lorgat said: “If safety and security allow then I would urge the England Test tour of India to go ahead and if it does so then representatives of the ICC will be there to show solidarity with the competing teams. “And if those Tests are played I would also urge supporters of the game to attend them as that will be the best way to send a message to those who seek to disrupt our way of life, that we will not be prevented from doing what we want or what we enjoy. “I have written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India pledging whatever support the International Cricket Council can offer to help ensure that, if appropriate, cricket goes ahead. “I have also written to the England and Wales Cricket Board with a similar offer of support and solidarity.” No decision on Pak tour The Indian government is yet to decide whether to allow the national cricket team to tour Pakistan, amid serious doubts following the attacks in Mumbai, a government spokesman said on Sunday. “Since the tour is in January there is still some time, we are discussing the issue,” foreign ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said. The BCCI has sought permission to tour amid security concerns over playing in that country. The three-day rampage which killed nearly 200 people in Mumbai have dimmed hopes after the Indian government said it had proof of a Pakistani link, straining political ties between the south Asian neighbors. Indian media quoted unnamed cricket officials on Sunday as saying the tour appeared doubtful. Indian board secretary N. Srinivasan refused to comment. The NDTV and CNN-IBN news channels, quoting unnamed government sources, said the matches were also unlikely to be played at neutral venues. There have also been reports that some England players are reluctant to return to India later this week to play a two-Test series. The Pakistan tour would depend on a security assessment, Prakash said. “Before any tour is undertaken an advance team goes and carries out an assessment. The team has not gone. “We will wait for the team's visit and its report on return before deciding anything.” The Indian team did not go on a full tour of Pakistan for nearly 15 years until 2004 due to political tensions. The Pakistan Cricket Board has already raised concerns the attacks could scupper the series. India is due to play three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 international in the Jan. 13 to Feb. 19 tour. Australia rules The wicketkeeper Brad Haddin found himself as a Test player and allowed himself to relax during an entertaining 169 that swept the match from New Zealand and confirmed his international future at Adelaide, Sunday. Australia was dismissed for an imposing 535 late on the third day and the total left it as the only side that can win the fixture and the series, which it leads 1-0. At stumps the visitors, who started with a deficit of 265, were 0 for 35 from nine overs. Scores: New Zealand 270 & 35-0 trails Australia 535 (Haddin 169, Clarke 110, Ponting 79, Hussey 70) by 230 runs.
