ECB officials to discuss Indian tour with players

The chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Tim Lamb, believes it will be possible to persuade England's players that it is safe to tour India next month, despite the ongoing military action in Afghanistan.

ECB officials have called a meeting with the players to discuss the situation next week.

Lamb told the BBC: "We're confident that we'll be able to persuade the players that the situation in India is not quite as serious as certain people have been led to believe."

"We do understand that players are apprehensive, as this is a difficult and delicate situation, but that's why we've called a meeting."

"We can't force people to get on the plane but the meeting will hopefully make them more confident about going to India."

Several England players, among them Graham Thorpe and Craig White, have expressed concern about whether it is safe to undertake the trip.