We have enough replacements,Modi says after reports of Aussies security concerns

Lalit Modi has reacted strongly to a media report of Australian players raising concerns about security at the Indian Premier League,saying players were free to opt out and that no one could dictate terms in the running of the tournament.

The call will be theirs. We will allow replacements for those who decide not to show up. We have 98 players on the waiting list eager to get called in, Modi said on his Twitter account after a report appeared in The Australian about Ricky Ponting having expressed his reservations about travelling to India. According to the newspaper,Ponting and some of the retired players,including Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne,got into an argument over the issue at the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) briefing on security. There is a split among the freelance former Test cricketers who want to attend and Cricket Australia-contracted players who want everybody to work as one on the issue, the newspaper said. It is understood the past players,including Shane Warne,Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist clashed with captain Ricky Ponting during the meeting, the report added.

Modi said: Been told (Australia captain) Ricky Ponting (is) pressuring players not to come.

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The IPL is for India and will remain for India. No one can dictate to us how we should conduct our tournaments.

The ACA meeting discussed an independent report,written by British security expert Reg Dickason that raised serious concerns about safety at the IPL,according to the head of ACA,Paul Marsh. Asked if the players would finally present a united front,Marsh said: Thats something we are still working through,its the way we have operated in the past and I guess we have a couple of weeks to work through that, he said.