July 26, 2008	Saturday	Rajab 22, 1429

LONDON, July 25: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will decide next week whether the English team will compete in the ICC Champions Trophy due to ongoing concerns over the security situation in Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council confirmed Pakistan as the host on Thursday, but the ECB will make a final decision on Aug 4 with the participation of Australia and New Zealand also in doubt.

“The ECB takes its own security advice,” Chief Executive David Collier said on Friday.

“Our board will be considering that on Aug 4, so we will have a look at that. There were concerns expressed not only by the ECB, but also by CA (Australia), CSA (South Africa), NZC (New Zealand). It’s a very fluid situation in Pakistan at the moment.

“It’s primarily the external environment we’re looking at and which we have raised some concerns over. We will be monitoring that very closely,” he added.

Collier further said that England’s players would be consulted before any decision is taken.

“We’re in very close touch with the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA),” he stated. “Clearly, other boards around the world are in the same position. The safety and security of our players is paramount and we won’t compromise on that.”

PCA chief executive Sean Morris said England’s players did have some misgivings about playing.

“We’ve still got some very serious concerns, despite the fact that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have made every effort they can to try to make it as safe as possible,” Morris said.

“But, unfortunately, in that part of the world there are some matters that are beyond anyone’s control.”—AP