by David Reavill
Saturday, October 27, 2001

There are those who argue that sports and politics do not, and should not, mix. Those players who went on rebel tours to South Africa spring to mind. But this is plainly nonsense, as sport has a vital role in crossing boundaries and bringing cultures and communities together. England not touring India this winter would have been grossly offensive to the Indian nation, as well as insensitive, at a time when we should be looking to bridge these gaps.

So it was with delight I read earlier this week the tour to India is to go ahead as planned. After two senior players, Alec Stewart and Darren Gough, chose to have a winter at home, for whatever reasons they were not up for the challenge of an Indian tour, it may have been the easy option just to abandon the tour. It is to the credit of the ECB that they refused to be browbeaten by player-power or indeed the terrorists, and other similar organisations that would have revelled in the fact they had caused such disruption.

Having been to India, it can certainly be an intimidating place to newcomers. It is noisy, busy, crowded and nothing like life in England. However, at the same time it is fun, friendly and exciting, and not the least bit dangerous. The importance of sampling the culture cannot be overstated. Not only does it help us understand the people and way of life, it certainly ensures that you are greeted in a warm and welcoming manner and eases the culture shock on travelling around the country. It is ironic that Stewart, who has chosen not to tour this time around, preferred to visit his cricket-glove manufacturers rather than the Taj Mahal on his last trip to India. One can only hope that the younger generation of players will not be so blinkered in their outlook on this tour and in the future. It is this sort of narrow-minded attitude which can be the root cause of a siege mentality.

Of course, assurances should be sought, and security maximised. But it reflects a worrying grasp of world politics, having got these assurances, to be in any doubt of whether to tour. India is a huge and diverse country and some of its cricket venues are as far away from Afghanistan as London is from Bosnia. In the current political climate one could argue the United Kingdom to be more at threat, being allies to the Americans in a war which has not been debated in a democratic manner.

It is a cliché to say that terrorism must not be the winner in circumstances such as these, but it is only because it is so true. Lest we forget there should be one other winner arising from this whole chapter, and with luck that will be an England cricket team with a 3-0 series victory. Failing that I hope they all go, have an excellent trip and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

David Reavill is a 29-year-old Nottinghamshire fan who is hoping that Usman Afzaal will do the business on the subcontinent.

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