CA green light to players' participation in the IPL

Melbourne, Jan 15 (PTI) Cricket Australia has decided to
allow its players to take part in the second edition Indian of
the Premier League, barring those who are unfit or have injury
concerns.

"We are not proposing to tell anyone that we don't want
them to go to the IPL," CA public affairs manager Peter Young
said.

"I don't know in what circumstances we would do that,
unless we had a negative medical report. Our view is we are
dealing with professional athletes and living in an era where
the understanding of fitness and sports injuries is very
sophisticated.

"The IPL is not particularly onerous, the fast bowlers
might bowl four overs twice a week," Young said.

He felt that players could keep themselves in shape for
the Ashes by taking part in the IPL.

"Some biomechanical and sports medicine experts believe
the risk of injury goes up if the workload goes up and down
across a period of time. And I would say some players would
want to play in the IPL so they can remain in good nick for
the Ashes," he added.

However, Australia have a list of injury worries that
includes the likes of Brett Lee (ankle), Andrew Symonds
(knee), Shane Watson (back) and Peter Siddle (foot) all
sidelined.

But former South Africa great Barry Richards believes CA
could have faced player backlash and possible retirements if
they banned cricketers from taking part in the IPL.

"Today's players can't get their hands on the dollars
quick enough ... they are like kids in a lolly shop," Richards
said.

"If Cricket Australia banned players from going to the
IPL there would be a huge outcry from the players. I reckon it
would be possible a few of them would even say they would
retire.

"Administrators don't want to get the players offside so
I am sure a lot of them will be playing in the IPL again," he
was quoted as saying in 'The Daily Telegraph'. PTI NC
DEP