Oz cricket administrator asks Aussies not to worry over Shiv Sena IPL threat

Sydney, Feb 15 (ANI): Indian origin cricket administrator of New South Wales, Dr Gorur Krishna Harinath alias Harry, has asked the Australian players to play in the Indian Premier League and not be worried by Shiv Sena's threat to target them in retribution for attacks on Indian students in Australia.

Harry Harinath was born and bred in India. He is now on the board of Cricket Australia and chairs Cricket NSW.

Dr Harinath still believes all 20 of Australia's IPL representatives should travel to his former homeland to serve their roles as players - and cultural ambassadors.

"The people responsible for security are taking this very seriously - the board of Cricket Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Board of Cricket Control in India," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

"But the president of the BCCI and Sharad Pawar, the next ICC chairman, have met the right-wing party representative who made the threat on behalf of Shiv Sena, Balasaheb Thackeray. I understand he ended by agreeing to look at their plans again. In other words, change their plans," Dr Harinath said.

"I think all this will settle down. People in India want to watch the best cricketers in the world. They respect the Australians, and want them playing cricket in India," he added.

Dr Harinath, who regularly travels to India to see family and friends, seems certain to advise Australian players to go forth and prosper.

"The man on the street in India, the man who loves cricket, he is not thinking along those lines (of Shiv Sena). The message from me is very clear. The authorities will still do everything to ensure the safety of the players but I am sure even Thackeray enjoys watching a game of cricket," he said. (ANI)