Watson Sr worried for all-rounder Shane's life in 'dodgy' India
As Australian all-rounder Shane Watson awaits the report of security expert Reg Dickason before finally committing himself to play in this year's edition of the IPL, the golden boy's father says he will fear for his son's life if he decides to play.
Bob Watson said yesterday the political climate in India was "dodgy" and is concerned for the safety of his all-rounder son, who was recently named the Allan Border 'Cricketer of the Year'.
"I will be on tenterhooks if Shane goes over there," Shane's father said. "It's entirely up to Shane of course.
I've never been to India, but there's so many people there, how can you keep track of a few people in a country that size. It would be very hard for the security people.
"The other time he was there (in 2008) some bombs went off in Jaipur.
"It's a dodgy place to go. I just hope the security people are good at their job and nothing untoward happens to the guys."
While the contracted Australian cricketers await the release of the all-important security report, the president of the Federation of International Cricketers Association Tim May expects withdrawals to be on the way, (KHALIDOSCOPE, Sunday Midday, Feb. 20).
The report was expected last week but needed urgent updating when militants threatened international players with dire consequences if they opted to play in next week's Hockey World Cup, the IPL tournament and next October's Commonwealth Games. The release of the report is imminent,
It is learnt that Australia's IPL players were prepared to ignore the Shiv Sena threats but they are now getting cold feet in the face of warnings from an organisation with a history of going through with its threats.
Cricket Australia is leaving the ultimate decision to individual players in view of the fact that tournament security is being handled by the IPL, but many here believe the Australian parent body has contractual scope as an overriding authority.
