Mumbai blasts may force Aus to skip Champions Trophy

Australian Cricketers' Association Chief Executive Paul Marsh has hinted that the world champions might reconsider their participation in the Champions Trophy [ Images ] in India [ Images ] in the wake of the Mumbai serial bomb blasts.

'We will have a pre-tour visit with Cricket Australia [ Images ] officials to India and we will also rely on independent advice. If it is deemed safe to go we will tour; if we are told it is unsafe we will reconsider our position,' Marsh was quoted by the Advertiser as saying.

Mumbai [ Images ] is scheduled to host five matches, including the final and Australia's second game, during the tournament. The blasts, which rocked the local train system in the city, claimed 190 people and reportedly injured 700.

The ACA chief asserted that the security of players was a primary concern and Australia was keeping an eye on the situation. The daily reported that the Australian department of foreign affairs and trade has warned tourists heading to India to ''exercise caution because of the risk of terrorist activity by militant groups'.

''The safety of Australian players is always of vital importance. We have a good procedure in place with Cricket Australia to assess overseas destinations,'' Marsh said.

Though official word on the matter is still to come, the newpaper quoted a CA official as saying that the decision to participate will also depend on the International Cricket Council's [ Images ] stand on the issue.

'In terms of the Champions Trophy, it's obviously an ICC [ Images ] tournament. We'll be continuing to take briefings from the ICC,' the CA spokesman has reportedly said.

The Aussies have previously cancelled their tours to Pakistan, Sri Lanka [ Images ] and Zimbabwe due to similar security concerns.

The world champions have also criticised the scheduling of the event just before the Ashes series against England [ Images ].