A shot in the arm for sporting diplomacy

Well done India, for providing ECB with some of our money. They badly needed it.

It is shocking that we should be thinking of holding a Cricket Series at this time, when the country has not yet recovered from the horrendous Terror Attacks. And see the extent to which the English cricketers are being treated to be given Z Category Security Status. How about giving the cricket spectators who are expected to throng the Stadiums the same Security Status? Are they not deserving of equal security? Or does BCCI and the money making Lalit Modi expect to conduct the Cricket Matches in empty stadiums like a Sri Lanka -India at Eden Gardens,Kolkata, was conducted many years ago?The recent Test Series between India and Australia clearly revealed that at Mohali and Nagpur there were very few spectators in the Stadiums. So where was the money coming from? From the Advertising and TV Networks,of course! So do you see who gains? BCCI and Lalit Modi ONLY.Now do you see why they are hell bent upon giving ONLY the Cricketers Z category Security Status? It's all about money,honey.

Well, kudos to England, though it would have been more impressive if they hadn't spent all this time soul-searching about it. And as many have pointed out, if it was pakistan or sri lanka, they wouldn't even bother, so it is hard to ignore the filthy lucre aspect of the situation. Still, at least they are fulfilling their obligations as international cricketers. So I'm afraid my kudos are half-hearted as I really don't think there should have ever been a question of whether or not they should return.

England will lose because they're very distracted at this time? What about the Indian team? The tragedy did happen in their country.

It is often said that nothing is bigger than the sport itself, here the occassion will be bigger. England must be praised to want to "rub shoulders with India in time of need, Just like the Australians did with england.

Thanks a lot England. Hopefully we have a very close test series.

Well done, England, your decision must be applauded. But, frankly, do we Indians need a cricket tour, by anyone for that matter, at this time? Police and security forces will have to be mobilized just for cricketers' security while that of ordinary citizens remains compromised. Of course, the fans will get more shabby treatment in the name of security. We could have done without this tour, much as I admire England's decision. It is a needless diversion when real serious issues have to be tackled.

It's fair to say that had it been Pakistan or Sri Lanka England almost certainly would not have returned. But, for good or for bad, no one can risk offending the BCCI right now (strange though that India will almost certainly not play their series against Pakistan). Probably the risk to the players was minimal anyway, but it is still hard to play in such circumstances in a strange country. As one poster has pointed out, the only winners will be the Indians because against a distracted England side that has had no meaningful preparation, the most likely result is two very short Tests leading to heavy England defeats. Mind you, on the last two England tours to India, against very weak England sides decimated by withdrawls, India have struggled despite winning the 1st Test both times. If Kevin Pietersen has the gall to win a match England might not be so welcome after all.

I think the dollar question is too exaggerated by people. The ECB and English players aren't beggars. I think players would go to any place they find it secure enough to play cricket. Although these worst terrorist attacks happened in Mumbai can cause panic among foreigners. However, India is by and large safe place to play cricket. Same things can't be said about Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Comparing security situations in India with Pakistan and Sri Lanka is not justified. Although I would be very happy if other teams visit Pakistan and Sri Lanka also. There is no doubt that Asians live cricket. However, at the end of the day its players of different countries will decide where they can feel safe enough to play cricket. If BCCI could not convince English players about the security than they won't come. Remember life is much more important than anything else.

Maybe I'm being a bit naive, but I don't think it's fair to say this is a money thing. In regards to which countries cricket teams go to, and which they don't, surely it's to do with safety. Now there might indeed be some inconsistent decisions in that regard, but I think it's a bit unfair to say England have decided to go to India, but not Pakistan, because of the dollar.