Security officials meet to discuss London ODIs

Officials from the ECB and the MCC will meet today to discuss whether Sunday's NatWest Challenge match at Lord's will go ahead, although an ECB spokesman insisted last night that the game remains on.

While the clear-up from yesterday's terrorist outrages continues in London, there is a feeling, as highlighted by Charles Clarke, the home secretary, that the city must return to normal as soon as possible. The ECB and MCC are unlikely to scrap the game, although many due to attend face considerable difficulties in getting to the ground, and they face increased security measures when they do get there. The officials will also make a decision on Tuesday's match at The Oval.

Marcus Trescothick told the BBC that the players would wait for advice from the ECB and the government. "When it comes to situations like this and times like this, you can only fall back on things that you know," he said. "Spending time with your family and being with your loved ones. If you can get out and see the cricket or football or rugby or whatever it is, then that can only help."

Ricky Ponting said last night that his squad had been kept appraised of the situation. "The team management have been looking into that for us as the day has gone on. Being involved in the game, I didn't know the extent of what was happening. We will be guided by the experts in London and everyone at Cricket Australia will keep us in the loop with everything that is happening and hopefully make the right decisions."

The coach carrying the Australian squad was kept waiting for a quarter of an hour at Headingley last night before Cricket Australia officials got assurances that it was safe for them to set off for their central London hotel.