IPL assails Shane Warne's fears

Shane Warne has said the Indian Premier League (IPL) may have to be moved to South Africa if terror threats against players were found to be credible. Warne has told the Australian media that the threat by an Al-Qaeda-liked organisation to target the IPL was a serious concern.

“The threats of the past 24 hours have certainly got me thinking twice and is of deep concern to athletes across several sports. If the threats are proven to be real, then organisers of the IPL may look at moving the tournament. We moved it last year at short notice (to South Africa), so it can be done,” Warne was quoted as saying by Herald Sun on Wednesday.

But IPL retorted saying there is no need for a shift. “The security arrangements are perfect in the country. The South African national team is playing in India currently without any trouble. What bigger proof one needs to show that there are no security fears to the IPL. We’re constantly monitoring the situation. There is no need to shift the IPL to anywhere,” Lalit Modi said.

According to the paper, Warne is waiting for the advice of Australian cricket’s security expert Reg Dickason before making a decision on whether to travel to India. The Rajasthan Royals skipper is expected to land in India later this month. The report also said the Australian players are considering hiring their own security personnel.

“We’ll be staying in hotels and travelling on buses and as we saw with the Sri Lankan team in Lahore (which was attacked last year), it can be dangerous,” Warne told the paper.

Rajasthan Royals, however, downplayed Warne’s concern. “He is quite comfortable with the security blanket provided by the IPL. I spoke to him a few hours ago and Shane is happy with the security arrangements provided by Nicholls and Steyn. There are no concerns at all. The IPL has been briefing us regularly,” Royals CEO Sean Morris told DNA.

Twenty Australians, including Shane Watson, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds, will be taking part in the 45-day tournament but most current Australian players will be turning up only at the later stage of the tournament. As an IPL official said the presence or the absence of the Australians will have little impact on the tournament.

Meanwhile, the South African Cricketers Association, the country’s official players’ body said, it is working with Cricket South Africa over the matter. “We can advise the players only after we get to know the security details. We will suitably advise the players after getting all the information,” Saca chief Tony Irish told this paper.