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Non-Asians repose faith in security in India

There is no question cricket in India needs to go ahead: Buchanan
CA not bothered about players in the ‘rebel’ ICL, says Jimmy Maher

Melbourne: Mumbai terror attacks have sent jitter waves across the world but members of non-Asian cricket fraternity are not yet ready to turn their backs on India, resting complete faith on the security provisions in the country.

While England team has already shown solidarity by deciding to return in full-strength to play two-Test series, top cricketing figures from Australia and South Africa are also not averse to visiting the country.

Indian coach Gary Kirsten, who went home as England left its seven-match ODI series incomplete in the wake of the Mumbai attack, said he was comfortable to return for the Tests, beginning on Thursday.

Individual choice

“But one needs to understand how the players feel. I think you have to respect it as an individual choice and you don’t want anyone going anywhere they don’t want to go,” he was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.

Former Australia coach John Buchanan, who is now in charge of Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, said cricket in India was a must and rested faith in security arrangements there.

“There is no question it needs to go ahead. Apart from what it means to Indians, it means a heck of a lot to world cricket,” Buchanan said.

“It is a must. Security and all of those sorts of things will be beefed up and re-planned. I don’t really have any doubts about it. I will be back there early in the new year for some camps,” Buchanan added.

Buchanan’s IPL counterpart Darren Lehmann, who coaches the Deccan Chargers, also echoed the sentiments of his compatriot.

“I cannot see it not going ahead. Safety is always the biggest concern with everyone. I am sure the IPL will do everything in its power to make sure everything is OK,” Buchanan said.

Another Australian Shane Watson, who emerged as the player of the tournament in the inaugural IPL season while representing the Rajasthan Royals, also hoped that the T20 League would go ahead.

“I really hope the IPL will go ahead. It is such a great thing for cricket. It was such a great catalyst for me to get my career off and running again. Hopefully, the opportunity will come again. If the safety concerns are put to bed, of course I would go again,” Watson said.

However, Indian Cricket League’s Jimmy Maher, who plays for Hyderabad Heroes, was a bit concerned because their Cricket Board was not bothered about him as he was a part of the ‘rebel’ league.

“Because we are playing in a rebel competition, we don’t fall under the Cricket Australia or ICC banner, which is a concern. If an Australian team was going, they would be getting a lot more security than our unsanctioned league. Perhaps we have to consider ourselves tourists and take that sort of advice.” — PTI

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