The third ODI of the series between England and New Zealand is likely to take place in Leicester after NZC considered a security concern “not credible”.
According to ESPNcricinfo, a member of New Zealand’s team management was approached and informed that a bomb would be planted at the team hotel. They were also warned that a bomb could be planted on their plane when they return to New Zealand, according to reports.
As a result, the squad was placed on lockdown on Monday, and police and anti-terrorism organizations were dispatched. The match was called off for a few hours when the New Zealand team did not train at Grace Road, albeit an NZC representative afterward said that they had not been scheduled to do so in the first place.
“As per reports, the ECB has received a threatening email linked to NZC” the statement continued. Even though this did not expressly mention the White Ferns, it was taken seriously examined and found to be untrue. The White Ferns have arrived in Leicester and security has been beefed up around them as a precaution. It is untrue that their training has been cancelled. Today was a travel day, so they were not scheduled to train. NZC is not going to say anything else about it. However, some players are still said to be nervous.
The news from Pakistan, in particular, may have aroused some concerns. In recent days, both England and New Zealand have cancelled tours to Pakistan, with the NZC claiming a specific security danger and the ECB admitting that concerns about traveling to the region were a role in their decision to cancel on player welfare grounds. The PCB would undoubtedly inquire as to why the danger in Leicester was not judged genuine while the threat in Pakistan was.
The security precautions place ahead of the trip to Pakistan were deemed sufficient by the British High Commission and the security consultants (ESI Risk) engaged by the ECB and NZC, according to ESPNcricinfo.
A representative for the European Central Bank said there would be no further comment on the topic.