Watford cricketer backs tournament decision after Mumbai attacks

3:00pm Thursday 27th November 2008

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A Watford cricketer, due to play in the inaugural Twenty20 Champions League in Mumbai, has backed the decision to postpone the tournament, following the terror attacks that hit the Indian city last night.

Gunmen killed around 100 people and injured hundreds more, during attacks at several hotels last night.

As a result, a decision was made by the tournament's Governing Council to postpone the event, after discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa.

Steve Finn was due to fly out to Mumbai this morning with his Middlesex County Cricket Club teammates, and was set to stay at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel – the scene of a massive fire, explosions and reported hostage situation.

On Wednesday night, he was aware the tournament was “in doubt” and was told at 11pm the same evening the flights would be delayed by 24 hours.

Then this morning, he and his English County League teammates were told the tournament, which had a £2.5million prize, had been postponed until after Christmas.

Steve, 19, from Cassiobury, said: “We knew it was in doubt last night (Wednesday). Since the attacks it's unfortunate so many people have died and been injured. The right decision has been made which really preserves our safety.

“It puts life in perspective almost because if we'd decided to be out there 24 hours earlier, we would have been in there (the Taj Mahal Palace hotel).

“I'm relieved to be safe and disappointed that the tournament is not going ahead but I feel the right decision has been made.”

A meeting will be held in December to discuss when the tournament can be rescheduled, but until then, Steve will be part of his club's indoor training programme in Finchley.

The former Parmiter's School pupil said: “The tournament is a fantastic opportunity for young people to showcase their talent on the world stage.

“I'm disappointed from a cricket sense but it's very sensible from a human safety sense to stop teams and all their players coming in from different countries. I think the right decision has been made.”

In a statement, Lalit Modi, the chairman of the Champions League Twenty20, said: "We held consultations among all the stakeholders including the founding members, the participating teams and members of the Governing Council after the unfortunate terrorist attacks in Mumbai on Wednesday.

"It was agreed that in the best interests of all concerned, the inaugural edition of the Champions League 2020 should be postponed.

"We very strongly condemn this dastardly and heinous criminal act of a few which has resulted in the loss of precious lives and injury to hundreds.

"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and we are with them in their hour of grief."