February 15, 2008	Friday	Safar 07, 1429

PERTH, Feb 14: Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted on Thursday he was concerned the controversial Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL) could pose a threat to world cricket by luring international players.

Just 24 hours after his vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, likely to be one of the few Australians to play in the inaugural tournament in April-May, dismissed any concerns over the impact of the IPL, Ponting said some senior international players were sure to be attracted by the financial rewards.

“I think there are some dangers there to tell you the truth,” Ponting said.

“If a guy is approaching the end of his international career anyway, and being able to play 44 days and stay in one form of the game I’m sure is very attractive.

“Particularly if they have families and they are getting a bit sick and tired of the travel you do with international cricket, I am sure that is appealing to some,” he said.

With 10 Pakistan players signing with the rival Indian Cricket League this week, Ponting admitted that while he believed Australian players would always want to represent their country first and foremost, that might not always be the case in other regions.

“We can’t control what the Pakistanis are doing or other countries are doing, but in Australia you would like to think that the fabric is still there for young Australian players, and older players, to continue to play as many games as you can for your country,” he said.

Ponting said he would like to see a window in the scheduling to allow international players to play in the IPL.—AFP