7/11 casts shadow on ICC series

Nations' concern on Mumbai blasts may mar the conduct of Champions Trophy.

Terror strikes in Mumbai have raised a few concerns about the successful conduct of the ICC Champions Trophy cricket tournament, to be hosted by India later in 2006, with the fear of withdrawal of some countries from the meet looming large.

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In the aftermath of Tuesday's brutal bomb blasts in local trains of the financial capital of the country, a few in Australian cricket circles have expressed apprehensions over the security of players during the October 7-November 5 tournament.

Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive Paul Marsh is confident that a pre-tour security assessment would provide the right decision for the team about the tour.

"We have a good procedure in place with Cricket Australia to assess overseas destinations," Fox Sports quoted Marsh as saying.

"We will have a pre-tour visit with Cricket Australia officials to India and we will also rely on independent advice. If it is deemed safe to go, we will tour. If we are told it is unsafe, we will reconsider our position," Marsh added.

"This reinforces once again that terrorist attacks and loss of life can happen anywhere and you have to take maximum precautions.

"You can't take shortcuts," he said.

The Australians have always maintained extra caution while dealing with tours to countries which face terror threats. On earlier occasions, they have cancelled visits to Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Pakistan on the ground of the safety of players.