Briefly Cricket

‘Players wary of security’

Johannesburg: Security apprehension about the IPL is proving infectious with South Africa captain Graeme Smith saying his compatriots have developed cold feet about travelling to India. “Players remain concerned about IPL’s security issues,” said Smith. “Everyone is monitoring the situation very closely,” he said. Smith said the South African team was apprehensive on the eve of the first ODI because of a reported terror threat. “The guys were nervous but we need to trust the process we have always used,” Smith said. “We would prefer to play in a peaceful environment but that’s the nature of the world we live in,” he added.

No need to panic: Ganguly

Kolkata: The fears of a mass pull-out from the IPL by England and Australian cricketers have been followed by doubts over the possibility of the 2011 World Cup being shifted out of India. But Sourav Ganguly said on Tuesday there was no need to panic. “Players’ security has never been under threat in India. I believe the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent will be a great success,” Ganguly said. “Have you ever seen cricketers facing any trouble while touring India in the past? Players are safe here.”