ECB says it is ready to pull KP, Freddie out of IPL

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has said that it is ready to pull out both Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff from the Indian Premier League if there is any semblance of them being in danger.

The ECB said players’ safety in the mega-bucks event is their number one priority following the Lahore massacre.
 
England managing director Hugh Morris revealed security would be monitored daily — and that he can force Pietersen, Flintoff and the other contracted players to stay at home.

KP and Freddie each fetched 1.1 million pounds in last month’s auction while Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara have also signed.

Non-contracted players Dimi Mascarenhas and Graham Napier are due to play next month too but England have no control over them.

Morris said: “We need to make sure security provisions are in place. It’s the No 1 priority of our board, simple as that.”
 
Colly, who signed for Delhi Daredevils, admitted the way the Sri Lankan team’s bus was ambushed has increased his anxiety.

He said: “I’d be lying if I said something like this didn’t raise concerns but I’m not about to make any decisions on the IPL.

The agents of Pietersen and Flintoff both said it is too early to make a decision. But tycoon Vijay Mallya, who signed KP for his Bangalore Royal Challengers side, insists security will not be an issue.

Mallya, who owns the Force India F1 team, said: “I am confident the England players will be secure. Saying they should not come is an over-reaction.”