| MUMBAI:
Earlier this week Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray said that his party would not
allow Australians to play cricket in Mumbai or Maharashtra. The aim is to protest
the continuous and repeated assaults on Indians in Australia.
This
has caused apprehension among Australian cricketers many of whom are scheduled
to take part in the third edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which kicks
off on 12 March 2010. Now Cricket Australia has said that the decision on whether
or not to take part will be up to the players. Cricket
Australia spokesperson Peter Young says that the body wants its players to be
able to make informed decisions. Therefore CA wants to work with the Australian
Cricketers' Association to ensure they can make informed decisions. A
sports marketing expert says that if Australian players do not come then the franchises
can call for replacements. If a decision on non participation by Australian players
is communicated before 19 January, then it will change the nature of the auction.
As of now it is expected that only 12 players will get a berth at IPL 3.0 at the
auction. It is not likely though that a decision will be made by Australian players
so soon. One
player who is concerned is Adam Gilchrist who led the Deccan Chargers to the title
in South Africa. His manager Stephen Atkinson has been quoted in media reports
saying, "Adam is aware of the situation and he is always very mindful of
the security concerns in India. Adam was looking to play in this year's tournament
but it is always a worry when statements like that (made by Shiv Sena) are being
made". Mumbai
is the only IPL franchise that does not have Australian players. Rickey Ponting
plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders while Shane Warne captains Rajasthan Royals.
It has
also been learnt that the IPL Governing Council has given the Australians the
message that standard procedures for security will be followed. However beyond
that there will be no special facilities. The players are free to withdraw if
they choose. | 
