Melbourne, Feb 3 (Inditop.com) The Australian participation in the third edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) is almost certain as an agreement between the Twenty20 league organisers and the players’ union over security arrangements looks imminent.
The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) chief executive Paul Marsh Wednesday said the players’ body was close to being handed security plans, allowing it to go on with the process of assessing safety and briefing players.
IPL chairman Lalit Modi had earlier refused to spell out security arrangements for cricketers, saying they are in touch with the Australian cricket board, following which the ACA had warned it may recommend its players not to take part in IPL.
Tension also rose following the threat by right-wing party Shiv Sena to prevent the Australian players from playing in Mumbai and Nagpur in retaliation for the attacks on Indians Down Under.
“I fully expect we will get the security plan. I’ve advised the players that we expect it will happen, it’s just we’re at the point where we’re just waiting on getting the plans,” Marsh was quoted as saying in The Age.
“We are getting close, there’s a few details we’re trying to get through, there’s a commitment there to give it to us provided we meet certain restrictions and obligations,” Marsh said.
“Hopefully we’ll get there.”
Marsh said he had been careful not to pass on too much information to the players until he had a complete picture himself.
“Once we get these IPL plans, we have got an independent security company to help put together a report for us that will outline the situation in India in general and also get a view of plans in place,” he said.
“They will provide a recommendation that we’ll be passing on to the players as to whether or not they think it’s safe to tour.
“We have got briefings around Shiv Sena and the players, once this report’s put together, we will get the relevant information on that,” Marsh said.