London Riots: India, England cricketers told to stay at hotel

Instructed to stay put in their hotel rooms, Indian cricketers are watching with concern the riots which hit the city on Monday night as part of the growing unrest in London and neighbouring areas.

"We were told by the Board to remain where we were last night with instructions to restrict our movement," said team manager Anirudh Choudhry on the eve of the third Test against England.

In an email, he later said, "all the members of the Indian touring squad are safe and accounted for...the team management is keeping a close watch on the situation."

The Indian team is staying in a central city hotel as is the England team, a part of the town which was the centre of riots.

Over 200 people have been arrested so far as the police continued to grapple with trouble spreading to newer areas in London. The violence started after a person was killed allegedly in police firing.

The unrest has since spread to Birmingham as well and the Indian and English cricketers have been asked to stay indoors to avoid trouble.

Indian batsman Suresh Raina tweeted, "Good nite, every thing safe here miss you mom can't wait to see u", while England batsman Kevin Pietersen wrote: "They have just locked our hotel in Birmingham. Riots just started here. Insane!"

England bowler Tim Bresnan said on his Twitter account: "Just seen the rioters in Birmingham fleeing down the main street followed by a load of police in the full get up. What's going on?"

All-rounder Stuart Broad added on his Twitter page, "Police vans all around Birmingham where we are right now."

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff also pleaded for calm in the city.

"Please stop this nonsense people, stay safe everyone," he wrote on his Twitter page.

"I think it's harsh to have a pop at the police they too are putting themselves in danger to protect us! I hope everyones behaving up north!".

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