THE Indian cricket authorities have rescheduled England's two-Test series to Madras and the Mohali ground in Chandigarh as a result of the gun atrocities in Bombay and elsewhere.

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In such a vast country as India there seems little point in calling off the tour, and it is highly unlikely that the current war-footing security will be breached when England return. If they return.

Assuming the security officer Reg Dickason and the Foreign Office give the all-clear, England should be playing India at Madras on Dec 11-15 and Mohali on Dec 19-23. One or two players will be wavering, especially those with young families and a wife to perceive danger.

But there is no real reason not to revisit the subcontinent. If the Indian Premier League, with its huge pay-days, were involved one would suspect that the dangers would suddenly seem to shrink. Kevin Pietersen, the captain, needs to give his players the lead by stating his intention to tour as soon as security clearance is given.