The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Aussies uneasy over Pakistan tour: reports

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Tuesday, Jan 01, 2008
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Aussies uneasy over Pakistan tour: reports

SYDNEY: Several Australian players may withdraw from next year’s tour to Pakistan even if Cricket Australia’s security team gives a positive account after its February pre-tour inspection, according to reports here on Monday.

The decision could be made for the players, with Cricket Australia unlikely to approve the tour if the polls are postponed and political instability continues, reports said.

Test all-rounder Andrew Symonds voiced his concerns over touring Pakistan, but reports said another Australian Test player revealed that security fears are widespread

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the player told The Sydney Morning Herald there was a possibility that a number of players would withdraw even if Cricket Australia gives the go-ahead.

The Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive, Paul Marsh, said he would brief the players on the crisis in Pakistan while they are in Sydney for this week’s second Test against India. Marsh said each player was legally entitled to make an individual decision.

However, Marsh said Cricket Australia and the ACA had a track record of making the right calls about security and it was premature to make a decision on Pakistan. — AFP

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