England are right to turn up - whatever the result

Chris O'Keefe

It is fair to say that the events of last week in Mumbai will be etched in the memories of people all over the world, possibly forever. Indeed the fact that such events were so, to wish for a better description, disturbingly memorable.

In the circumstances, no-one can disagree if a cricketer, or indeed any other athlete, says I don't want to go there. Robert Croft was one such player to refrain from a tour of India post-September 11, 2001. He was to act on his instincts, its a human instinct to be unsure of what is to come in such a predicament. However, it may be worth looking back to similar choices facing sportsmen in 1973.

During the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland, no Five Nations matches were played at Landsdowne Road in '72 as Wales and Scotland declined. However, when England ran out led by John Pullin they were given a standing ovation by the Irish support for a full five minutes. His England were beaten comprehensively. Pullin later remarked at a post-match dinner: "We may not be very good but at least we turn up." Cue yet more applause from his audience and one of the more memorable quotes in Rugby history.

As England should know themselves, just being there can be as important to rebuilding a nation. When England played Sri Lanka in Galle, they turned up to a ground with building work still going on around it and a pitch that may turn out to be rubbish. For all those sporting factors, that England played the hosts at a ground so wantonly destroyed by mother natures wrath in 2004. The game was a draw and England lost the series but the people of Galle regained some of their identity that week.

The Indian population is no doubt in a state of shock at the way events unfolded last week. If England can take to the field next week and give a contest it will, albeit in a small contribution, help the nation get back its confidence.

As it goes, from a sporting perspective, England will gain a lot ahead of the Ashes, even if they are thumped. Peter Moores and Kevin Pietersen will learn a lot about his side pitted against arguably the in form test playing nation and should England be beaten comfortably, it will reveal where they need reinforcement. There is something to be gained.

Given that England have, as one, agreed to tour despite reports claiming players wavering is a vote of confidence in a nation and a good gesture to the biggest democracy in the world as it searches for answers to other more pressing issues.