Australians closer to IPL green light

Tim Nielsen, the Australia coach, wants a maximum of six days to prepare his squad before it leaves for the West Indies, which would allow the players signed with the Indian Premier League to spend two weeks at the tournament. Nielsen is not concerned about the country's contract holders, including Andrew Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee, taking part in the Twenty20 competition as long as they return in good shape.

The six-week IPL event begins on April 18 and a camp is likely to be held in the first week of May before Australia travel to the West Indies for Test and one-day series. "We're still working through the process with Cricket Australia, but I would expect the guys would have time to play in India," Nielsen said in the Sunday Mail. "So long as the guys turn up okay and ready to go and Cricket Australia finalises any issues with the IPL I can't see a problem."

If the plan goes ahead the IPL-aligned players will be able to earn about a third of their prices from the auction in India last month. Symonds was bought for US$1.35m while Brett Lee ($900,000), Ricky Ponting ($400,000), Matthew Hayden ($375,000) and Michael Hussey ($350,000) were also picked up.

Nielsen said he was looking at a five or six-day camp to fine-tune for the West Indies. "There are a few things to be considered," he said. "My No.1 priority is having the players adequately prepared and ready to go to the West Indies, but I don't expect the camp to be abnormally long."