BCCI, CA set to clash again?

Although Cricket Australia is yet to confirm player participation in the IPL, top BCCI sources told TOI on Tuesday that Aussie players are really keen to turn up following the postponement of Australia’s tour to Pakistan because of the Lahore blasts. "A player like Andrew Symonds, for example, was auctioned for $1.35 million and would understandably be keen to play," said a source, adding, "Nothing is official as yet. But Australian cricketers should be available for IPL during the league phase. "Later on, if Australia are touring West Indies, their players can get back to playing for their national team. But we are not going to request them to send their players. Their cricketers know that IPL is important and exciting." The franchisees who have have paid big sums, though, are not amused at CA’s stance. Team Bangalore, for example, has signed up Nathan Bracken, who will not be a part of the Aussie Test team and hence could play the full duration of the IPL, given that the ODIs against West Indies only start in mid-June. Charu Sharma of the franchise told TOI: "This unwillingness on CA’s part to not readily commit to IPL is just an attempt to downplay the importance of the league. They want to be seen as a board which is not too keen on paying special attention to IPL. They also don’t want to appear greedy, maybe. "Playing a Twenty20 league in India would be better preparation than a staid conditioning camp, I think. But it’s CA’s prerogative. We are hopeful of Bracken turning up." Former board president and IPL governing council member I S Bindra said that the IPL’s success was "not dependent on Aussies alone". He added: "Sutherland’s comments are an internal matter, but they have to weigh whether they will reasonably benefit by refusing to send their players. If they come, fine. Otherwise, IPL won’t miss them. The Aussies will simply miss out."