Jason Gillespie has said that "there would be serious questions" about Australia's tour continuing if there were any more terrorist incidents in Britain. Gillespie last night told a Melbourne radio station that "a lot of guys are nervous" about the security situation and the threat of bombings.

"It is very difficult to say, but I would consider it [withdrawing] if another went off," he told 3AW. "I can't speak for anyone else. If something else did happen I would think about it personally, yes."

He added that it was a question of family priorities. "My wife is over here. A lot of guys have their wives and families here. It is not so much us, but them as well."

Paul Marsh, the Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive, has expressed similar sentiments. He said that while he is happy with the security advice that the team have been given, he "would have to consider things if another bomb goes off".

During the first Test police searched a bus outside Australia's team hotel, and players were told not to catch underground trains. One player was reported to have said that if the team had been in a tour of a developing world country, there would have been a call to go home.

There is increased security at Edgbaston ahead of the second Ashes Test and Warwickshire authorities warned that all spectators would be searched when entering the ground. Sniffer dogs will also check all delivery vehicles.

3 Aug, 2005