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England team’s noble gesture

Special Correspondent

Team is committed to winning the Test series: Cook
The security concerns will not affect the team

Chennai: England opener Alistair Cook read out a simple statement from the cricket team here on Tuesday.

He said the team would donate half of its match fee from the first Test to the victims of the terror attacks in Mumbai.

He said the gesture was “an open and public statement” in support of the Indian people following the tragic event in Mumbai recently.

“We extend our sincere sympathies to the families who lost loved ones in the Mumbai tragedy,” he added.

Cook said the team was committed to attempting to win the two-Test series.

He conceded that the build up for the first Test had not been an ideal one. The Englishman was, however, optimistic. “Playing against a very good side in India is an exciting challenge. The last two weeks have not been ideal but we are cricketers and we have to deal with that,” he said.

The opener said much of cricket was about mental preparation. “What’s happened recently has taken its toll. This side has got behind each one of us. There have been some very tough decisions individually but now we are here as a unit.”

Interestingly, Cook began his Test career at Nagpur in 2006. He was flown in as an emergency opener from the West Indies while touring with the ‘A’ squad.

“I travelled half way round the world, had one training session and played in a Test. It can be done,” he said in response to England’s lack of preparation.

On coping with the situation if India sets a run-choking predominantly off-side field, he said, “We recognise that it could be used and we as batsmen in the top order must have the technique, ability and the patience to handle that.”

Team decision

Asked about criticism in some quarters that the England cricket team’s return had been driven by monetary considerations, he said, “Everyone’s entitled to his opinion and his writings.

“We sat down and made decisions as a side through our security advisor. All this stuff does not affect the players and all this is indirect stuff,” he said.

The security concerns would not affect the team mentally. “Not when you are out in the middle playing cricket. The situation is not ideal and we know that. But are here to play cricket and have made that decision.”

On performing well against India, he said it was important for the top six to contribute and put runs on the board in the first innings.

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