Player unions want more adequate outline of security plans at IPL

Wellington, Feb 25 : Player unions from Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa are pressing for a more adequate outline of security at the Indian Premier League despite T20 tournament chief’s accusation that the players’ representatives were using a security threat against foreign nationals as leverage to gain an audience with the Indian board.

 The impasse between unions - represented globally by the Federation of International Cricketers Associations - and the IPL looms as a stumbling block to the participation of contracted players of different countries.

 However, Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Paul Marsh expressed confidence that the unions would reach a point where they could sign off on overseas player participation, in concert with independent security consultant Reg Dickason.

 Marsh said there were no players who did not wish to take part in the IPL, but admitted to two schools of thought expressed during a frank and open meeting in Sydney on Tuesday, Stuff.co.nz reports.

 Former Test star Damien Martyn accused ACA of applying double standards in the handling Australian cricketers going to play in terrorist danger areas in India.

 Martyn said one policy applied to players going to danger areas when they were on official tours and another when they were freelancing in competitions such as the Indian Premier league.

 He noted that in 2005 Cricket Australia kept players in England throughout the Ashes series despite terrorist attacks and repeated threats.

“The fallout from ACA meeting has been interesting, it always amazed me how info got leaked out, people must be reminded that there is so many different agendas happening,” Martyn wrote on the social networking site Twitter.

Modi confirmed that players who opted out of the IPL would risk being banned from future editions of the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament.