Thaindian News

Johannesburg, Feb.25 (ANI): South Africa cricket captain Graeme Smith has raised concerns over security issues during forthcoming Indian Premiere League’s (IPL) third edition.

Smith, who had to return home in the middle of the India tour due a finger injury, said South African players are concerned about the security arrangements, and the situation is being monitored by them and other concerned officials.

“Players remain concerned about the security issues for IPL. This is a big event with lots of different players, stadiums, hotels and travel arrangements. The help and assistance we get for this event from our players association will be very important to us. Everyone is monitoring the situation very closely at the moment,” The Dawn quoted Smith, as saying.

Referring to terror threat to the first ODI at Jaipur, the Proteas skipper said players were ‘nervous’ before the match.

“The guys were nervous before the game but we need to trust the process we have always used with Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA),” Smith said.

“We would prefer to play in a more peaceful environment but that’s the nature of the world we live in at the moment,” he added.

Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of the SACA Tony Irish said the association had taken into account all security measures put up in place for the Jaipur ODI and is also aware of its IPL duties.

“The Jaipur threat was investigated by CSA’s security consultants, Nicholls Steyn and Associates. We will rely on their advice as to its legitimacy, what level of risk it presents to the team and what security measures are necessary,” Irish said.

“The boards of the different countries can’t really be expected to review the security plans so it falls to the players associations in each country to do this for players. We take that responsibility very seriously,” he added. (ANI)