Australian cricketers 'double standards' on security
Updated at: 0125 PST, Tuesday, September 16, 2008
SYDNEY: Australian cricketers double standard regarding security situation became evident after they decided to go ahead with the tour of India despite serial blasts in the capital city on Saturday which killed 22 people and injured about 130.
It was feared that Australian tour to India would also be postponed after the blasts or at least Australian cricketers would express some security concerns. But nothing such happened and Cricket Australia decided to go ahead with the tour setting aside any affect of recent blasts.
Australian Cricketers Association has termed India safe as compared to Paksitan and said tour should not be postponed. "The threat assessment for India has been considerably lower than that of Pakistan," Paul Marsh, the chief executive of the Australian Cricketers' Association told The Australian.
But Australia know now that they have decided to travel to India, they will face the "heat" from the Asian bloc. After they refused to travel to Pakistan, accusations of "double standards" are likely to be thrown at them.
"There might be some who criticise us for double standards," Marsh told the local media. "But people need to understand our starting point is that we always want to tour. We go to extreme lengths to obtain the best advice on the situation of each country we visit.
In Pakistan's case this year, people we rely on told us not to tour. If they say not to tour again, we'll listen. Bombs going off anywhere are a concern."
Cricket Australia had said that they would review security but will be no changes in the schedule of Australia's tour to India as long as the security of their team is taken care of.
Cricket Australia has confirmed it was satisfied with the reports of the security system in place and will tour India as scheduled.
In the past, Australia cancelled their tour to Pakistan and then refused to travel there for the Champions Trophy. But there are indications that Australia is likely to proceed with the tour of India.
The Australian team is scheduled to leave for India on September 21. Cricket Australia had said that they would review security but will be no changes in the schedule of Australia's tour to India as long as the security of their team is taken care of.