AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting said he was satisfied with his team’s level of security since landing in India on Monday.
Australia’s High Commission has warned against travelling to India during the Commonwealth Games, which are scheduled to begin on October 3 – just two days after the start of Australia’s first Test with India in Mohali.
“We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India at this time because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups,” the warning read.
With news that officials and competitors from around the world had expressed reservations about safety levels in the country ahead of the Games, Ponting said his team had no concerns.
“I am satisfied with what we have seen so far. The level of security since we landed in Delhi has been of the highest quality,” he said.
The squad was escorted from Chandigarh airport to their hotel under heavy security and extra precautions have also been taken in and around the hotel to ensure player safety.
“We have total trust on security advice we are given on every tour we go,” Ponting said.
“Cricket Australia always has a look at the security scenario before we venture on any tour. We are also regularly briefed by Cricket Australia as far as security issues are concerned.”
Meanwhile Ponting conceded cricket’s image as a ‘clean sport’ has taken a hit following the spot-fixing allegations surrounding Pakistan’s current tour of England.
“Over the past few weeks, there is no doubt that the game’s image has taken a battering as a result of some of the allegations. We are going to do everything in the game between India and Australia to make sure that we play the game in the right way and to make it a spectacular watch,” he said.
Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammed Amir and Mohammed Asif were provisionally suspended by the ICC after being charged under its anti-corruption code for allegedly deliberately bowling no-balls in the fourth Test at Lord’s.
“There have been intense battles between teams, but that is how international cricket is supposed to be. As long as players from both sides understand what is wrong and what is right, and both teams play in the right spirit of the game, what has happened in the past will be forgotten. It is just a matter of moving on and playing,” said Ponting.
Australia begin a three-day match against the Board President’s XI at Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh on Saturday before heading to Mohali. (Cricket Australia)