Aussies vow to play in IPL despite Lahore attack

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Leading Australian cricketers have vowed to play in the IPL next month, saying they will not give in to terrorism after the attack on the Lankan team in Pakistan. More... SYDNEY: Leading Australian cricketers have vowed to play in the Indian Premier League next month, saying they will not give in to terrorism after this week's attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan. The brazen attack as the team headed to a Lahore stadium for the third day of the second Test against Pakistan left six police and two civilians dead, while seven Sri Lankan cricketers and a coach were among 19 people wounded. Former England coach Duncan Fletcher has warned English cricketers heading to the IPL that, based on his experience, some types of terror attacks are easier to carry out in India than in Pakistan. But Australia's top cricketers led by high-profile paceman Brett Lee say they still want to play in the IPL. "We can't let this stop us going about what we do with our lives," Lee told The Daily Telegraph. Lee was joined by Nathan Bracken, Dave Hussey, Shane Watson, Brad Hodge and Dave Warner, who said they would not be persuaded to skip the IPL competition. "It's concerning that terrorism is impacting the sport," Bracken said. "But I'll still be going." On Wednesday, India's home minister said he wanted the IPL tournament postponed because it clashed with general elections and security forces would be stretched to provide protection for both events. With many of the world's leading players set to arrive in India next month, the Federation of International Cricketers (FICA) has written to IPL organisers seeking increased security. "We owe to it the game and all of its stakeholders to ensure that at all times cricket has not only access to, but implements 'best practice' security," FICA chief executive Tim May said. "We should leave no stone unturned in the search and implementation of such advice and procedures." Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, who plays under Shane Warne for the Rajasthan Royals, said he would be happy to go to India if FICA were able to meet the required security standards. "You're never safe anywhere, to be fair," Watson said. "It's part and parcel of the world environment at the moment, more than just a certain region. "I love playing cricket and if the opportunity is there to go to India, I will be there with bells on." West Australian and Mohali coach Tom Moody, who also coached many of the Sri Lankan players injured in Lahore, said that terrorists could not be allowed to be seen to win. "We can't step away and seem that we're beaten because of these individual acts," Moody said. "I'm sure security will be lifted to maximum level and players and officials should be able to be safe going forward, whether it's the IPL or other tours in parts of the sub-continent."

[King]

Looks like Aussies are happy to tour India. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't. I'm sure there are security issues but that can definitely sorted. Hire couple of copters and reach the ground by a copter. How hard is that? I don't reckon these foot terrorists are good enough to bring down a copter. I think it is time to outsmart these bastards. That is the only way out and I don't reckon they are smart they are just daring.

[umpire]

^Why are you giving ideas to Jihadis?

[fineleg]

Looks like Aussies are happy to tour India. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't. I'm sure there are security issues but that can definitely sorted. Hire couple of copters and reach the ground by a copter. How hard is that? I don't reckon these foot terrorists are good enough to bring down a copter. I think it is time to outsmart these bastards. That is the only way out and I don't reckon they are smart they are just daring.

in one Himachal stadium they tried this :)

[DomainK]

Looks like Aussies are happy to tour India. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't. I'm sure there are security issues but that can definitely sorted. Hire couple of copters and reach the ground by a copter. How hard is that? I don't reckon these foot terrorists are good enough to bring down a copter. I think it is time to outsmart these bastards. That is the only way out and I don't reckon they are smart they are just daring.

If they were smart, they wouldnt be jihadis. They are jihadis because they are dumb enough to be brainwashed into becoming mass murderers.

[King]

in one Himachal stadium they tried this :)

He carried no players though :winky: but that must have been a test ride :haha:

[fineleg]

He carried no players though :winky: but that must have been a test ride :haha:

that too ONTO the field itself with sightscreen being torn :cantstop: BTW, ravi - i really like ur avatar - the one and only King IVAR :thumbs_up:

[King]

Honestly I won't be surprised in a decade or two most cricket teams will be carried by a copter. I'm sure BCCI can afford to own a few of those. Have the players good isolated areas and hire military copters to get to the ground and fro. There is no way any person with firearms will be able to use that inside the ground, firstly the public will be thoroughly checked and secondly the rest of the public will take of the gunmen if they try anything silly during a game.

[King]

that too ONTO the field itself with sightscreen being torn :cantstop: BTW, ravi - i really like ur avatar - the one and only King IVAR :thumbs_up:

Good on ya.... it's cool the Avatar all right. Not may remember him but he's forever etched in my cricketing memory.

[Fontaine]

Even if the IPL goes ahead with all the foreign players I still think it's a pretty messed up situation. In the West Indies you've got touring cricketers enjoying the beaches, having a few beers and a BBQ watching the sun go down in popular tourist spots. I know cricketers in the past really enjoyed the cultural experiences in India but now that seems like an impossibility when you're being escorted around in heavily protected vehicles with a full contingent of guards with automatic weapons at all times. Not much of a cultural experience that. I guess money wins out in the end and seeing the IPL go ahead will be a small victory for cricket in India but comes at a heavy price. Scum of the earth these terrorists are.

[cochise]

Fontaine, It may not be like in the Windies where you can have a party...but pressing on in the face of terrorism, despite all the difficulties, hindrances and security is a principled stance and a show of solidarity. Actions like these defeat the aim of the terrorists to disrupt sport, society and it's functioning. However, no stone should be left unturned as far as security goes now. It has to be full on.

[Fontaine]

Fontaine, It may not be like in the Windies where you can have a party...but pressing on in the face of terrorism, despite all the difficulties, hindrances and security is a principled stance and a show of solidarity. Actions like these defeat the aim of the terrorists to disrupt sport, society and it's functioning. However, no stone should be left unturned as far as security goes now. It has to be full on.

Yeah, I agree and understand that. I just don't see it as a such a huge victory when a national past time that's meant to provide such entertainment and joy on the field is almost like a prison off the field for the cricketers. I just think it sucks for the cricketers and in general cricket in India when you have be watched and treated like a prisoner when the game is all about comradarie, respect and friendship. Unfortunately this is what happens when you live in a sh*tty neighborhood and you're closest neighbor is a gun toting maniac.

[Chandan]

Fontaine, It may not be like in the Windies where you can have a party...but pressing on in the face of terrorism, despite all the difficulties, hindrances and security is a principled stance and a show of solidarity. Actions like these defeat the aim of the terrorists to disrupt sport, society and it's functioning. However, no stone should be left unturned as far as security goes now. It has to be full on.

I agree. If the govt feels even after the discussions that adequate securities can't be provided, I don't see how IPL can go ahead. But what a nice time people used to have earlier when we didn't have such threats! Looks like those lovely periods are gone! Fontaine is right in saying that it is coming at a heavy price.

[cochise]

But what a nice time people used to have earlier when we didn't have such threats! Looks like those lovely periods are gone! Fontaine is right in saying that it is coming at a heavy price.

Those days will return again...once the terrorist menace is dealt with. It may take a long time...but it will happen.

[Chandan]

Those days will return again...once the terrorist menace is dealt with. It may take a long time...but it will happen.

It doesn't seem that it'll return during my lifetime. Due to these terrorists even fun events like a cricket match have changed into a battle field.

[EnterTheVoid]

Irrespective of whether the Indian Govt provide adequate security - with the money the BCCI generates, they'd be happy to let federal commandos from the respective countries to protect their players - , I just don't think now is the appropriate time to stage the event Elections / Bomb Blasts / Terrorists etc. If players do come, they'd probably be counting the days till they leave from the moment they arrive. Why is Modi being so pig headed / stubborn? What happens it if you cancel it this year? I that this doesn't come true in a ironic / twisted way where a serious security breach occurs and the players are airlifted in military helicopters

[King Tendulkar]

Collingwood had rightly pointd out that pakistan is a seperate country from India!! He is happy to play IPL

[Chandan]

Collingwood had rightly pointd out that pakistan is a seperate country from India!! He is happy to play IPL

Yes. Here is the article: Collingwood still expects to play in IPL 5 March 2009 Paul Collingwood, who has been in sparkling form in the West Indies, still intends to play in the IPL after the tour Paul Collingwood intends to feature in this year's Indian Premier League in the aftermath of the Lahore terrorist attack. England star Collingwood has a contract with Delhi Daredevils and expects to fulfil it, security permitting, despite cricket's latest disruption due to terrorism. Collingwood, 32, was at the forefront of those willing to return to India for the Test series before Christmas, following the horrific attack on Mumbai. Other leading England players scheduled to join the IPL's second season are Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara. "As things unfold we will know more about what is being put in place by the IPL, but having been back to India before Christmas the security we had felt pretty good and at this stage I'm continuing as normal," Collingwood confirmed. "Of course, when something as tragic as this happens, thoughts do cross your mind and you do question things a bit because we've all been in similar situations travelling to and from games like that. "I'd be lying if I didn't say that something like this raises concerns in your mind, but I'm not about to make any decisions on it. The right thing to do is to wait and see how things go from here. "In many ways it is something that will feel very close to every cricketer around the world, but this is something that happened in Pakistan and not in India.†England are currently in the more relaxed environment of the Caribbean, preparing for the fifth Test against West Indies in Trinidad. Reg Dickason is keeping all England's IPL players abrest with the safety situation in the Subcontinent. Their security advisor Reg Dickason is now a permanent member of tours and was integral to last year's Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan, being scrapped after carrying out a safety audit for various cricketing bodies. Dickason assesses risk levels for England for all their overseas ventures and has done so on behalf of the board for all those centrally-contracted players scheduled to play in the IPL in April. "The goalposts have changed forever now and we will have to have some more robust plans going forward, I suppose," Dickason said, in relation to the attack on the Sri Lanka team. "Now it is very clear to people that we have to plan for the worst and hope for the best all the time. "There is always a risk whether it's the sub-continent or elsewhere. Whether it has been heightened by this, I don't know. "It is just a matter of assessing the risk and putting the right measures in place to mitigate them as much as you possibly can. "It is always a work in progress. We assess it a fair way out but we monitor right up to the event and during and if there is any radical change we certainly make changes to the way we operate." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If Collingwood expects securities that they had during the test series, then I'm not sure if that level of security can be provided. But it is nice to know that boards will be assessing the security on their own too. If they won't find it adequate, obviously players from those countries won't come. If if it is found to be inadequate, I suppose, the tournament itself should be cancelled. But even then, I'm sure that govt can provide security.

[Fontaine]

Those days will return again...once the terrorist menace is dealt with. It may take a long time...but it will happen.

I really, really hope so. I remember when foreign players used to come to India to play because they regarded India as one of the most difficult teams to beat at home and every triumph in India would be held up like a badge of honor. At the same time almost every cricketer came away with a sense of awe from the experiences of watching packed stadiums with crowds at full roar while enjoying the culture and sights of India. Now I'm afraid they come here for the money. It's like going to Saudi Arabia. Everyone knows the place is basically a fundamentalist wahabbi sh*thole but they still go there because they're happy to take the Saudi's money and then leave as quick as possible.

[cochise]

Now I'm afraid they come here for the money. It's like going to Saudi Arabia. Everyone knows the place is basically a fundamentalist wahabbi sh*thole but they still go there because they're happy to take the Saudi's money and then leave as quick as possible.

Of course they come for the money. But they also know that India is a victim of terrorism and not an instigator and that it is India's neighbour that is the fount of the fundamentalist and terrorist problem. That makes a qualitative difference...knowing that you are not going to a country where the people themselves are of suspect motive and intention on the whole.