Cricket: ECB WILL NOT PUSH US INTO INDIA TOUR; exclusive

CRAIG WHITE has slammed the ECB over their handling of the India saga.

The Yorkshire all-rounder looks set to defy calls for him to do a U-turn and fly with the England squad for next month's controversial tour.

He will stick by his unbending belief that it is too dangerous to "play a game of cricket next door to a war zone" even if others are considering changing their minds.

England captain Nasser Hussain has outlined his intention to lead his squad into the three-Test series.

But White, Ashley Giles, Andy Caddick, Robert Croft and Marcus Trescothick have told their cricket chiefs they need more time to decide.

White admitted: "As far as I know, there has not been any extra pressure put on Nasser to tour because he is captain - and that is only right.

"Nasser is a strong-minded guy who makes his own choices. He doesn't let people influence him when it comes to decisions like this.

"But would Steve Waugh go to India in the current climate?

"Would he take his Australian side there to play a Test series knowing the risks involved?

"Well I know Steve very well and I know that he would not agree to it. And Steve is seen as one of the hardest, toughest guys in cricket."

White, who will give his final answer on November 7 after a fitness test, is furious that he and the other four have been labelled "ditherers" and been criticised for their stance.

Ex-England batsman Allan Lamb is just one who has condemned the 'England Five' for delaying their decisions.

But White hit back: "A few of us have asked for more time to make up our minds - what's wrong with that?

"The whole situation has been badly handled.

"It's very unfair to give players a deadline.

"We should not have been put under so much pressure.

"For some of us this is probably the biggest decision we will have to make in our careers - possibly our lives.

"The tour doesn't start until the middle of next month, so there is still time."

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