White Ferns increase security

Security around the White Ferns in England has been increased following a threat.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The England and Wales Cricket Board received a threatening e-mail relating to New Zealand Cricket.

The White Ferns are currently playing an ODI series against England.

A statement from the team says while the threatening e-mail didn’t specifically reference the White Ferns it was treated seriously, investigated, and deemed not credible.

The New Zealanders have now arrived in Leicester for tonight’s third game of the five match series.

A team spokesman says as a precaution, security around the team has been boosted.

After tonight’s game in Leicester the last two games are in Derby and Kent over the weekend.

Last Friday the Black Caps abandoned their tour of Pakistan following what New Zealand Cricket described as a “specific and credible” security threat.

A group of 34 players and staff are now in Dubai, with some players staying in the UAE for next month’s T20 World Cup while others will return to New Zealand over the next week.

Today England withdrew their men’s and women’s cricket teams from series in Pakistan that were due to take place next month.

The men were set to make their first trip to Pakistan since 2005, while the women had never before played there.

An England and Wales Cricket Board statement said: “We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region.”

It continued: “We believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments.”