The Indian Premier League's immediate future is under a cloud with a major security report understood to concede that the cricket players' safety in India cannot be guaranteed, reports a New Zealand media website stuff.co.nz..
The report, commissioned by players' unions in New Zealand, England, Australia and South Africa has been delivered and its content is being digested.
Media reports from Australia and England paint a gloomy picture from the investigation by highly respected security advisor Reg Dickason. The Australian is currently working for the English association but has previously advised New Zealand Cricket and is considered an expert in security on the sub-continent.
India's security issues have deepened in recent weeks with a terrorist attack in Pune killing nine people and last week Al-Qaeda issued a threat over the World Cup hockey tournament, the IPL and the Commonwealth Games.
It is understood Dickason's report describes the Al-Qaeda threat as credible.
The IPL's problem is the spread of the tournament with 60 matches in 12 venues across India.
Last year the tournament was moved to South Africa because of similar security fears. It is understood that option has been considered again while the United Arab Emirates is another option.
English media said the report will be passed on to the IPL's international players, who will then make the decision to travel to India on an individual basis.
The IPL is due to start on March 12 and squads from the eight franchises begin assembling as early as next week.
New Zealand has six players involved in the IPL this year - Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Scott Styris and Jacob Oram. Former Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming has a coaching job in the lucrative league.
The Blacks Caps will have time to keep an eye on proceedings as they will miss the first month of action as they are involved in New Zealand's home series against Australia.
Players are paid on a pro-rata basis in the IPL. The squads this year have been trimmed back to 23.
Meanwhile, Hockey Australia yesterday gave the go-ahead for their men's team to contest the World Cup in India and New Zealand is expected to follow suit with the Black Sticks who have been in a holding pattern in Perth while their future was sorted out.
Hockey New Zealand said they were still assessing information and expected to make a statement on Monday afternoon.
