… as India becomes armed and dangerous
A BOMB Detection Squad vehicle was parked in the grounds of the Australian team’s hotel yesterday as it was revealed any player was free to leave the tour of India because of security fears.
Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young confirmed the governing body’s policy.
There will be no repercussions in the selection room for any player wanting to return home early.
Security threats to the Commonwealth Games have left an uneasy feeling around the two-Test tour.
The Australians’ hotel at Chandigarh resembled a fort, with armed officers crowding the foyer, entrances and corridors. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has advised tourists against travelling to India, and the players know they can receive leave passes without their chances of Ashes selection being compromised.
“If a player becomes that concerned, we would respect his wishes and his right not to continue travelling with the team,” Young said.
Australia’s team manager Steve Bernard confirmed the stance, adding: “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
The bomb detection vehicle was stationed outside the main foyer of the hotel between 08:00 h and 09:00 h yesterday, local time.
It was gone by the time the players left for a gymnasium session at 09:30 h, but there was a heavy security presence.
Officers from Chandigarh police, armed with machine guns, were seen putting on bullet-proof vests while they waited for the Australians to start boarding a team bus bound for a gymnasium at the Section 16 Ground.
The Herald Sun saw about 50 armed officers outside the hotel, and at least as many inside, including at every elevator in the building.
Although guards were placed on duty throughout the night, many appeared to be fast asleep.
Players swimming in the hotel pool also were watched by armed guards.
Traffic came to a standstill as the team bus weaved its way to the Sector 16 Ground.
In what seemed like an unbelievable blunder, the word ‘Tourist’ was emblazoned across the front of the bus.
The Australians learned on arrival in New Dehli on Monday that two foreign tourists had been shot outside a famous mosque only a few hours before.
The players were already scheduled to spend five hours at the Taj Palace Hotel, waiting for their connecting flight to Chandigarh.
The drive to the hotel had them on the road for a nervous 20 to 30 minutes, but arrangements for their on-going flight progressed without incident.
The most recent Australian player to leave a tour was Test vice-captain Michael Clarke, who flew home from New Zealand earlier this year during his break-up with his Sydney-based former fiancée, model Lara Bingle.
Clarke was reinstated as vice-captain for the first Test after his return.
Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill refused to tour Zimbabwe in 2004 on moral grounds. (The Herald Sun)