Hussain keeps mum on punishment to Indians

By V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD, NOV. 20. The England cricket captain, Nasser Hussain, is more keen on focussing on the crucial Test and one-day series against India than on reacting specifically to any event - either on the performances of the Indian team or the punishment meted out to some top cricketers including the batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar.

In a statement released through his media relations mnager, Mr. David Clarke, the England captain said: ``I wish not to comment on any specific events in South Africa. For long, I have been an admirer of Sachin Tendulkar and the spirit in which he plays the game, particularly in view of the enormous pressure he is under. We are eager to begin the Test series against India, are confident they will be played in keeping with the traditions of the game.''

Interestingly, it was not Nasser Husssain who came out to attend the media briefing here but 21-year-old Richard Dawson of Yorkshire who fielded the queries. ``We are happy with the way the batsmen fared in the tour opener against Mumbai in the two- day game,'' were his opening remarks. ``Definitely, we were told well ahead what is in store for us - both on and off the field. It is a big challenge to play India in India and we are ready to face it,'' he said. ``It was a very good experience and we are looking forward for the next two first-class matches to gain experience before the first Test,'' he added.

Commenting on the wickets that the English cricketers are going to play in India, Dawson said certainly they were different from what they had at home. ``But this is expected and we are ready to adjust and put in our best efforts,'' he said.

Mr.Clarke said they were very happy with the security arrangements and did not feel it was being overdone. But, this was the impression one got when the team arrived at the Hyderabad airport this morning. Not even the top brass of Hyderabad Cricket Association - Mr.G.P.Surana, president, Mr.N.Shivlal Yadav, secretary - were allowed inside the lounge to greet the visitors till an executive committee member of HCA and also an airport offcial, Mr.Venkateswaran, repeatedly requested the authorities to let them in. And soon the Englishmen were whisked away straight into the bus enroute to the hotel with the waiting media not having a chance to talk to anyone. Reflecting on the security aspect, Mr.Clarke said it was wrong to believe that the English Cricket Board gave an impression as if the war was in India and not in Afghanistan. ``One has to look at the world picture since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. For the air travel is not the same as it was earlier. So, the concerns expressed by the English authorities then were understandable,'' he said.

The English cricketers preferred to stay indoors and will have their practice session tomorrow morning. But it was made clear that the skipper, Hussain, a veteran of 63 Tests, will not speak to the media as he wants to be fully focussed on the game.

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Section  : Sport
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