Indian colts skip Australia tour due to security fears

Melbourne:

Security fears fuelled by the attacks on the Indians living in Australia have prompted half a dozen academy-level players from India to pull out of a series ironically meant to promote goodwill between the two countries.

"Cricket is the greatest tie we have between the two countries. It's really disappointing. There was nothing I could say to change their minds," said the organiser of the tour for players from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Bruce Adams.

"This is a massive wake-up call for Australia to take responsibility for the actions of everyone," he was quoted as saying by 'The Age'.

The series was meant for 18 to 24-year-olds and featured first-grade Indian players and local cricket teams in Canberra.

"The coverage in India has caused a lot of concern," Cricket Australia's anti-racism officer Peter Young said.

"Cricket should be a bridge between diverse cultures and not a divisive element between the two," he added.