England pledges match fees to Mumbai victims

The England cricket team has pledged to donate half its match fees from the first test against India to help victims of the terror attacks that killed at least 171 people in Mumbai last month.

The England players released a statement Tuesday saying they'd donate an estimated 35,000 British pounds ($52,000) to help those affected by the attacks in India's financial hub. "The England players will donate half their match fees from the first test match to the families of those victims of the Mumbai attacks," opening batsman Alastair Cook said, reading from the statement.

Cook said making the "open and public statement of support for the Indian people following the tragic events in Mumbai," was one of the key reasons the players agreed to return for the two tests matches after leaving India in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.

The other key reason was to win a cricket series, he said. "We have made a pact that this is it and nothing else can distract us from playing cricket."

CHENNAI, AP