World cricket in crisis as Trophy row grows

Kevin Pietersen today voiced serious concerns about playing in the Champions Trophy as England looked set to pull out because of security fears.

Pleas to move the two-week tournament away from Pakistan were rejected by the International Cricket Council yesterday and that could lead to a boycott with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa also considering whether to play.

Pietersen is the first England star to publicly voice his fears and believes players worried about recent terrorist bombings, should not be forced to take part in the tournament.

"I've definitely got reservations - 100 per cent - about going to Pakistan," said the batsman. "I don't think you should put pressure on any individual, especially when you realise your life could be at risk."

Pietersen said he was assured by ECB chief David Collier this morning that "the decision would probably be taken out of the players' hands."

The ECB have announced they will now have further extensive talks with "a number of key stakeholders" - including England's one-day players - before deciding whether to send a team to the limited-overs tournament, ranked second to the World Cup in terms of prestige.

An ECB spokesman said: "Once those discussions are concluded, we will be in a position to make a clear and definite decision."

Australia, too, have cast serious doubts over the likelihood of them participating in the event, while New Zealand and South Africa are also uneasy about playing in Pakistan.

England, New Zealand and Australia all spoke in favour of a change of venue during yesterday's ICC teleconference and South Africa, while backing Pakistan, admit they are still trying to convince their players to take part in the event scheduled to be staged in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore.

But with seven of the 10 fullmember countries needing to support a switch and the Asian bloc - India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - fully behind Pakistan behind Pakistan, no vote was taken.