South Africa players' body rejects pull out criticism

By Telford Vice

DURBAN, South Africa, Aug 19 (Reuters)

The South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) has defended the team's withdrawal from a tour of Sri Lanka due to security concerns.

South Africa pulled out of a triangular tournament against Sri Lanka and India after a car bomb blast killed seven people near the team hotel in Colombo on Monday.

The decision, taken after an independent security consultant said the risk to the team was at an "unacceptable level", has been criticised in the Sri Lankan media and by senior cricket officials.

"What critics of our players fail to understand is that the decision to withdraw from the tour wasn't a decision of the players," SACA Chief Executive Tony Irish said in a media release.

"It was a decision made by Cricket South Africa (CSA). It was also made properly after consideration of the security reports and in consultation with SACA which represents the players.

"The whole team supported the decision."

Irish rubbished reports that the South African players had been divided over the issue.

"I've heard and read statements suggesting that our players are 'chicken', that there was a split between players and that Mark Boucher and senior players somehow orchestrated the withdrawal.

"This is nonsense," he said.

"CSA had a duty to the country to do what it did given the information at hand."

The SACA also said the South African embassy in Khartoum had received a letter on Aug. 14 warning the team of dire consequences if it did not pull out.

"We expect you to make a proper decision by cancelling the tournament," the SACA quoted the letter, signed by the 'Tamil Youth Organisation', as saying.

"By doing this, you can be sure that your great players are protected in any cause ... we would like to inform you that anything can happen, therefore we urge you to return back to your homeland."