Indian cricketers cancel tour to Australia

MELBOURNE - A group of Indian cricketers from academies in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh cancelled a tour to Australia due to safety concerns linked to attacks on Indians there, an official said.

Bruce Adams, the organiser of a tour of up-and-comers, said: “Cricket is the greatest tie we have between the two countries.”

The Age reported Wednesday that the tour for 18- to 24-year-olds was scheduled to promote goodwill, pitching first-grade Indian players against local cricket teams in Canberra.

Security concerns forced six players to withdraw, the media report said. “It’s really disappointing. There was nothing I could say to change their minds.

“This is a massive wake-up call for Australia to take responsibility for the actions of everyone,” The Age quoted Adams as saying.

Cricket Australia’s anti-racism officer Peter Young said: “The coverage in India has caused a lot of concern. Cricket should be a bridge between diverse cultures and not a divisive element between the two.”