WC 2011: ICC, Cricket Australia won't deviate from security plans

Calcutta News.Net
Friday 11th March, 2011

Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council have both said that they will not deviate from their existing security arrangements because of speculation that terrorists are aiming to attack some World Cup 2011 venues.

India's intelligence agency had reportedly issued a secret alert that Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda and Laksa-e-Taiba were "planning a near-term attack" during the tournament.

While the tournament is being held across India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the groups are apparently only interested in targeting India.

The ICC said that it does not comment publicly on any security issues, although it is believed to be confident its security plans are sufficiently robust.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian squad has been shielded by a significant security presence, which has included numerous armed escorts whenever it travels between venues, hotels and airports.

Cricket Australia also has its own full-time security manager, Frank Dimasi, who is responsible for scouting sites for future tours - along with Australian Cricketers' Association representatives - and travelling with the team on every overseas and domestic tour.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, which has a major role in organisation for this World Cup, was reported as saying it was in constant contact with India's home affairs ministry over security issues, but also reiterated its confidence in state and local governments to provide the agreed security.

Brett Lee, a veteran of numerous playing and promotional tours to India, said in Sri Lanka:"The security we've got here and also what we've got in India and Bangladesh is brilliant. It's been outstanding, it's been thorough. Every single time we hop on the bus everything's done correctly - always sweeps at the ground, always a big police presence."(ANI)

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