Shane Warne ready to play in Indian Premier League despite security fears
SHANE Warne says he is ready to play in the Indian Premier League despite mounting security concerns - and denies a fallout with Ricky Ponting over the issue.
While some of the world's best players are ready to boycott the tournament in the wake of a terrorist threat from an al-Qaeda sub-group, the Rajasthan Royals captain-coach said he felt comfortable after speaking to contacts in India.
Warne's mind was eased yesterday when it was revealed the Indian Government had agreed to support measures put in place by the IPL's security contractor, Nicholls Steyn.
"I'll wait until I see the final report, but if that's all happening to what Nicholls Steyn wants, and [Cricket Australia security consultant] Reg Dickason is happy, if all that looks good, then everyone involved in the IPL can go," Warne said.
"I think the development overnight is that the Indian Government is going to get behind Nicholls Steyn, the IPL security people, [and] ramp up security for the players.
"That will give the players comfort, and that was the main aim of the players' association. I think it's going to work pretty well."
Whether Warne's former national teammates agree remains to be seen, although he denied reports of a split between past players such as himself, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist and Ponting at a security briefing in Sydney on Tuesday.
"There was no heated disagreement between me and Ricky," Warne said.
"We're mates, we get along fine. There were a lot of people asking [Australian Cricketers Association chief executive] Paul Marsh for clarity on some issues. I think that's healthy. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion."
Despite Warne's remarks, the strength of the tournament remains in serious doubt after Dickason tabled unfavourable security reports to player unions in England, Australia and South Africa.
IPL impresario Lalit Modi yesterday mounted a PR offensive when he said the show would go on without international players.
"The heavens aren't going to fall if that happens," he told the BBC.
"This is an Indian tournament - we have the key Indian players and only a few international players.
"We have no worries at all. You have to understand that the market for us is India. The tournament is a huge success - we have a huge credibility, we have the top 200 players in the world.
"It's not only dependent on foreign players, although they are part of it."
Shane Warne ready to play in Indian Premier League despite security fears | The Daily Telegraph
SHANE Warne says he is ready to play in the Indian Premier League despite mounting security concerns - and denies a fallout with Ricky Ponting over the issue.
While some of the world's best players are ready to boycott the tournament in the wake of a terrorist threat from an al-Qaeda sub-group, the Rajasthan Royals captain-coach said he felt comfortable after speaking to contacts in India.
Warne's mind was eased yesterday when it was revealed the Indian Government had agreed to support measures put in place by the IPL's security contractor, Nicholls Steyn.
"I'll wait until I see the final report, but if that's all happening to what Nicholls Steyn wants, and [Cricket Australia security consultant] Reg Dickason is happy, if all that looks good, then everyone involved in the IPL can go," Warne said.
"I think the development overnight is that the Indian Government is going to get behind Nicholls Steyn, the IPL security people, [and] ramp up security for the players.
"That will give the players comfort, and that was the main aim of the players' association. I think it's going to work pretty well."
Whether Warne's former national teammates agree remains to be seen, although he denied reports of a split between past players such as himself, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist and Ponting at a security briefing in Sydney on Tuesday.
"There was no heated disagreement between me and Ricky," Warne said.
"We're mates, we get along fine. There were a lot of people asking [Australian Cricketers Association chief executive] Paul Marsh for clarity on some issues. I think that's healthy. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion."
Despite Warne's remarks, the strength of the tournament remains in serious doubt after Dickason tabled unfavourable security reports to player unions in England, Australia and South Africa.
IPL impresario Lalit Modi yesterday mounted a PR offensive when he said the show would go on without international players.
"The heavens aren't going to fall if that happens," he told the BBC.
"This is an Indian tournament - we have the key Indian players and only a few international players.
"We have no worries at all. You have to understand that the market for us is India. The tournament is a huge success - we have a huge credibility, we have the top 200 players in the world.
"It's not only dependent on foreign players, although they are part of it."
Shane Warne ready to play in Indian Premier League despite security fears | The Daily Telegraph
