March 13, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 4,1429

MELBOURNE, March 12: Australia’s cricketers said on Wednesday they were relieved Cricket Australia (CA) cancelled their planned tour of Pakistan this month over security concerns, admitting they feared for their safety.

Michael Clarke said the decision had avoided the possibility of boycotts from individual players, several of who had previously publicly voiced fears about security in Pakistan.

Andrew Symonds was the most vocal, admitting last month he would likely have made himself unavailable if the tour went ahead.

“I don’t think ‘disappointed’ is the right word — I’m rapt (delighted) CA and the ACA made the decision and it didn’t have to come down to individual players,” Clarke told reporters on Wednesday, referring also to the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

“I’m happy it’s been sorted out without the players’ involvement. I’m very relieved and happy they’ve done that for the playing group.”

Clarke dismissed comments on Tuesday, the day Australia made its announcement, by Pakistan’s former Australian bowler Geoff Lawson, who said the tour should have gone ahead.

“My opinion is Geoff can stay there as long as he likes,” was Clarke’s terse reply.

Stuart Clark agreed he was equally relieved.

“I don’t think anyone likes it when a cricket tour gets called off because that’s our job, but there were obviously concerns from everyone involved.”

Brett Lee said the authorities had to take the final decision.

“Each player was asked if they were keen to go or not but it just came down to the board — I think CA did have the final say,” said Lee.

“I think the hardest thing was not knowing — over the past couple of weeks we didn’t really know what was going on, no one was sure what tour was coming up.”—AFP