Oz IPL cricketers on horns of dilemma

Sydney, Feb 22(ANI): As Hockey Australia gave the green light to its players' participation in the World Cup in India, Australia's contingent for the Indian Premier League have been left to contemplate their participation after a report warned that the security for the tournament could not be guaranteed.

A dossier compiled by security consultant Reg Dickason was passed on to individual players who have IPL deals, with a reported advice against travel to India.

The highly anticipated report was commissioned by the Australian, English and South African players' unions.

According to reports, it warns that the threats made last week by Al-Qaeda militant Ilyas Kashmiri against the IPL, as well as the Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi are credible.

However, Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive Paul Marsh was unable to say whether the union would advise players to withdraw from the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

"We're not in a position to talk about it right now. I've just received it and I'm working my way through it," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Marsh, as saying.

Meanwhile, the Australian men's hockey team departed for India after receiving advice from the Australian High Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, that the Al-Qaeda threat on the 10-nation tournament was not credible.

They have also been assured that the security arrangements for the tournament were sufficient.

Security service company, ATMAAC International, will accompany the team for the two-week competition, while the Delhi Police have deployed 17,000 personnel to oversee the event.

"The information from all sources is consistent. All threats have been assessed and there are no known credible World Cup threats at this time," Hockey Australia said in a statement. (ANI)