Ponting-Warne clash on IPL scurity issue

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has clashed with Aussie legend Shane Warne over the safety of Australia’s players during next months Indian Premier League.

Ponting’s war of words with Warne and other former Aussie test players came during a meeting of the Australian Cricketers' Association in Sydney were the topic of player safety in India was discussed.

According to 'The Australian' newspaper Ponting and other centrally contracted players are concerned about traveling to India but the likes of Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden are happy with the safety arrangements.

"There is a split among the freelance former Test cricketers who want to attend and Cricket Australia-contracted players who want everybody to work as one on the issue".

"It is understood the past players, including Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist clashed with captain Ricky Ponting during the meeting" said a news story in the 'The Australian'.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has also waded into the row via twitter suggesting Ponting was pressuring his fellow players not to come to India because he was dropped by the Kolkata Knight Riders during the winter.

After the meeting which was held in Sydney between the ACA and the Australian players contracted to play in India ACA chief executive Paul Marsh confirmed he will give a list of demands to the IPL over player safety.

"From the outset it is important to reinforce that players want to play in this year's IPL, however the independent report has identified some serious concerns with aspects of the current security process" said Marsh.

"Specifically these concerns relate to the reported direct threat against the event and the status and implementation of the IPL's security plan." he added.

"The process from here is for all players associated to meet with their player groups and for all of us to feedback the concerns raised from these meetings to the IPL."

"This will be coordinated through our peak body the Federation for International Cricketers' Association (FICA). From here we will await a response from the IPL."

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