 Symonds in Australian Champions Trophy squad
10th Jul 2008 14:01 IST
Agencies
Andrew Symonds has been included in Australia's preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy but says he will not risk his safety if unrest continues in Pakistan.
Symonds has long expressed concerns over Pakistan staging the limited-overs tournament for the world's top eight cricket teams in September.
He previously threatened to boycott a test tour to Pakistan before it was postponed, in March, also due to security concerns.
“My feelings haven't changed a great deal,” Symonds said in a radio interview soon after returning from Australia's Test and ODI series wins in the West Indies.
Symonds was selected in the 30-man preliminary squad, along with injured skipper Ricky Ponting and fast bowler Shaun Tait, announced today by Cricket Australia. The squad will be trimmed to 15 next month.
The International Cricket Council has said it will not risk the safety of any player or official and is reviewing security in Pakistan. It is expected to make a final decision on the September 11-28 tournament before the end of this month.
Alternate venues include Sri Lanka and South Africa.
The Pakistan Cricket Board says it is confident it can stage the tournament despite recent attacks that have raised security concerns.
The promise came the same day a suicide attack killed at least 18 people in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. The next day, a series of small blasts in Karachi wounded 43 people.
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