Caddick backs England return to India

Andrew Caddick, the former England bowler who pulled out of a tour of India in the wake of 9/11, said Tuesday he would be prepared to travel there in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Caddick's intervention came as England officials continued to mull over whether Kevin Pietersen's squad should return to India for the two Tests they are due to play this month, the first of which is scheduled to start on December 11.

The squad flew home at the weekend and were awaiting a report from their security consultant Reg Dickason before deciding whether to go back and play the Tests, which have been moved to Chennai and Mohali to allay safety concerns.

Caddick and spinner Robert Croft opted out of an Indian tour following the 2001 attacks on New York but he believes he would react differently if faced with a choice about touring today.

"The big difference between now and then is that the ECB do have a very good security team, they've got a very good leader (Dickason) who looks after the players' security, and they'll be leaning on him a lot and asking his advice as to whether the tour will be safe," Caddick said.

"I'm sure that, compared to 9/11, it will be a lot safer than it was back then."

Caddick added: "You've got to feel sorry for these guys, but it's a different scenario. In 2001 it ended up with a war in Afghanistan and it's still ongoing now."

LONDON, Wednesday AFP