South Africa have been given sufficient reassurances about security to be “comfortable” to remain in England following the terrorist attack in Manchester, according to team manager Mohammed Moosajee.
Following the bombing at the Manchester Arena on Monday night, Moosajee admitted there were some concerns – especially because the team’s three-month tour ends with a Test in the city, where they are due to stay at a hotel close to the Manchester Arena – but he confirmed they are satisfied with the guarantees they have been given.
The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attack at the end of a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena on Monday that killed 22 people, including children.
Britain’s deadliest terror attack for 12 years took place just two days before the start of a three-match One-Day Series between England and South Africa in the nearby city of Leeds. It is the first international fixture of a lengthy, three-month tour of South Africa that includes the June Champions Trophy and subsequent four-Test series against England.
No major international cricket has taken place in Pakistan since 2009 because of security concerns following an attack, while England one-day captain Eoin Morgan and opening batsman Alex Hales refused to tour Bangladesh because of safety fears too.
But having received security briefings from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), whose security advisor Reg Dickason is well-respected throughout the sport, South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said his side was happy to remain in England as things stood.
“The players are uneasy,” Moosajee said. “There was a lot of chatter at the breakfast table and I’m happy to say we’ve had constant communication from the ECB and the security manager. There have been some reassurances and guarantees put in place that the security arrangements will be supplemented, starting today. We’ve been told there will be more visible policing at the stadiums, at practice sessions as well as the hotels that we will reside at.
“The hotel we will stay at when we are in Manchester for the last Test match is walking distance away from where the events unfolded so there have been some genuine concerns and I think the process has started to make sure the players are reassured that arrangements are being made to try and keep them safe.”
Among the measures is the provision of a full-time security liaison officer, who the ECB has provided and who will remain with the South Africa squad for the entire duration of the tour. South Africa also have their own security team travelling with them.
“Most teams travel with their own security team,” Moosajee said. “There are guys that travel ahead and do their own recces and intelligence. We are comfortable with the advice we get from our security team.”
The ICC has already put out a statement about the security ahead of the Champions Trophy, which will be held in London, Birmingham and Cardiff from June 1-18, following the ODI series between England and South Africa.
“We’re planning for all eight teams to be here,” said Steve Elworthy, the tournament director. “David Richardson [ICC chief executive] has been in contact with and has been emailing all the teams participating. There is certainly a communication channel open around this and that dialogue continues as we speak. It’s critical and paramount that we deliver a safe, impressive and exciting tournament for everybody involved.”
“If this had happened in another country in the world, that would be the first question people would ask: is the tournament at risk, is the series at risk? As long as people are feeding us the correct information and we trust our advisors – then as things stand, there was no mention of us even thinking of abandoning the tour. If the intelligence information provided tells us something else then obviously we will have to reconsider.”
Moosajee also said the South Africa squad wanted to take a stand by not being intimidated in the aftermath of the incident.
“I don’t think that as sportspeople, we should allow ourselves to be held ransom because otherwise you won’t have world events and you won’t have touring teams,” he said. “We’ve just got to make sure that we trust the system and we trust the people put in place to give us the necessary advice and reassurances.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected but it is also important for us to focus on what our job at hand is. We are representing a proud sporting nation back home and it is important to make sure that we give our best performances throughout the series no matter what. We have trust in the authorities and the people in control to make sure we are safe, that is the focus. It is important for myself, the coach and team manager to convey that type of message to the players and to keep them focused on the task,” De Villiers said.