February 17, 2008	Sunday	Safar 09, 1429

MELBOURNE, Feb 16: Australian media has slammed Ponting and his boys for clamouring to play in the BCCI’s Twenty20 money-spinner — the IPL — even after accusing the Indian board (BCCI) for using its money muscle to get Harbhajan Singh off the racism charge.

Reports in Australia have confirmed that the sponsorship issue between Cricket Australia and IPL has bee resolved and rest assured the Aussies will be in demand at the players auction on the 20th of this month.

Greed, hypocrisy and forgotten fans - the headline sums it up nicely. Seasoned cricket writer Mike Coward is amazed with the Australian players’ urge to sign up for the IPL.

The papers are all talking about how big bucks have forced the Aussies to change their stance. Reflecting this Coward in his column in The Australian has thrashed Ponting and his men, saying, “In very recent times a good number of them not only ridiculed the form of the game but bleated loudly about their crushing workload and appealed to negotiate more sympathetic playing programs. Now the demand is for a dedicated six-week window to add the IPL to their workload. This hypocrisy has been noticed and is being talked about.”

During the Harbhajan-Symonds row the Australian team was unhappy with their Board towing the lines of the BCCI. They accused the BCCI of flexing their money muscles.

”India has a financial clout and Australia is the best team in the world and i think both countries realise that they need other in that way. Australia team wants to play against India for many reasons, partly not just because they have an absorbing on-field rivalry but also because it is commercially successful for them,” said Chloe Salatu, cricket Writer, Sydney Morning Herald.

But nevertheless every player now seems keen to grab their share in IPL pie. Rumours say that the hesitation to tour Pakistan is more so because of the IPL than security concerns. Even the least experienced player in the side has offers to negotiate. “I don’t have offers yet but I am going through a few things at the moment with them. Nothing final there at the moment,” said Mitchell Johnson. — Agencies