MELBOURNE: Australian cricketers, who stand to lose millions of dollars if they don’t participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL), clashed with their skipper Ricky Ponting in meeting at a Sydney hotel to brief them about security during the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

The conflict over whether to attend next month’s IPL tournament saw the Australian players attacking each other during a security briefing.

The Australian reports there is a split among freelance former Test cricketers who want to attend and Cricket Australia-contracted players who want everybody to work as one on the issue.

It is learnt players like Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist clashed with Ponting during the meeting. The players were advised that current arrangements are not satisfactory, following legitimate terror threats.

The situation is almost certain to result in a showdown between players’ associations and the IPL, but insiders are suggesting it will be individual players who blink first and solidarity will be lost.

Anyone who boycotts will almost certainly be barred from future tournaments and players like Lee, Warne, Gilchrist, Hayden, Dirk Nannes and Brad Hodge stand to lose millions of dollars. Younger players with CA contracts might not feel the same compulsion.

Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) chief executive Paul Marsh was asked if players would stick together once a decision was made.

“That’s something we are still working through, it’s way we have operated in the past. I guess we have a couple of weeks to work through that,” he said.

Australian players were given report prepared by security consultant Reg Dickason.—Agencies