Don't force players to return to India: Hussain

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen and his men should not be forced into returning to India for next month's Test series if their security fears don't

subside, said former England captain Nasser Hussain as he urged the ECB to take a call on the matter without delay.

England abandoned the One-day series which it was trailing 0-5, by cancelling the remaining two matches in the wake of the terror strike in Mumbai. But both the BCCI and the ECB say they are confident of the two-match Test series going ahead as scheduled next month.

But Hussain felt the ECB should first ask the players whether they want to return to India.

"If the rumours are true and they are not intending to return, it is imperative they (the ECB officials) make an announcement to that effect as soon as they arrive back.

"If they have decided to abandon the tour for safety reasons, that shows they are taking their duty of care for the players seriously," he added.

Hussain praised the ECB for the way it has handled the situation so far and called on the administrators to continue being decisive in their decisions.

"This is exactly what the ECB needed to do -- take decisive action straightaway so the players weren't left stewing in their hotel. They have shown strong leadership but must carry on being strong when they get home," he was quoted as saying by 'Daily Mail'.