IPL security plans sufficient only on paper, says Dickason's report

Sydney, Feb 24 (ANI): Security expert Reg Dickason's report on the threat to the IPL says that while the security plans are sufficient on paper, the Indian state governments are yet to commit to providing the required police numbers which is the primary concern for the Australian players participating in the tournament.

A meeting of players, managers and the Australian Cricketers' Association in Sydney resolved to take their concerns to IPL commissioner Lalit Modi even though Dickason's independent assessment concluded that safety at the Twenty20 tournament could not be guaranteed.

Nine states-Maharashtra, Orissa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab and Rajasthan, as well as the national capital region of Delhi, are scheduled to host 60 games in 12 cities over 45 days from March 12, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Dickason would not comment on the specifics of his report last night.

"I've submitted the report and now it's up to the players' associations to decide what they want to do based on the available facts," Dickason said.

"It's up to the players to decide whether or not they go. From our end, there's no agenda, no motives and no self-interest. Our brief was to provide a security assessment based on all the facts at hand," he said.

ACA chief executive Paul Marsh, who chaired yesterday's meeting of players and managers, said the worldwide union FICA would approach the IPL about the concerns raised in the Dickason report and await a response.

Modi last night defended the IPL security arrangements. "I spoke to a couple of the [Australian] boys yesterday about it. I think they will all take part. The tournament will go on," he said. (ANI)