And another one bites the dust. A third tour of the subcontinent has now been called off after the New Zealand cricket authorities decided that the security of their female players could not be guaranteed in India. New Zealand, the women's World Cup holders, were due to tour India this month for five one-day internationals and one Test – matches which can attract large crowds.

Martin Snedden, the chief executive of New Zealand Cricket, said: "In my view, the level of risk which exists here is unacceptable. The Indian Women's Cricket Association is an organisation which has a voluntary administration and few resources.

"It was clear to me that there would be little or no security arrangements in place for the team, and no ability to remove the team quickly from a region or out of the country should there be civil unrest or an escalation of military or terrorist activity."

England's women are due to tour India in January – and at the moment everything is going ahead. However John Carr, the director of cricket operations for the ECB, who is in India checking security for the men's trip, will also look at arrangements for the women. A decision on that tour will be made in December.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd