Taking guard with a gun

HELMETS and pads aren't enough protection any more. Machineguns are the order of the day. It might be bullet proof glass on buses next.

The terror attacks in Pakistan have changed world cricket and nothing will be the same for players or officials.

Security has been beefed up around the Australian cricket team in South Africa in response to the terror attacks in Pakistan.

The usual police detail was replaced yesterday by national intervention unit guards armed with machineguns who watched over the players closely as they trained.

The NIU participate in intelligence-driven operations and have been used for the Australian side on earlier visits, but were called in after the attack on the Sri Lankans.

The team had a briefing yesterday morning and discussed their concerns with their usual security officer who co-ordinates with local authorities.

A two car police escort containing NIU officers accompanied the bus to training.

A Cricket Australia spokesman said about the increased security: "You will find this has happened with every security unit in the world."

Some players are more concerned than others.

Brad Haddin claimed to be relaxed with the situation but said he was disturbed by what had happened to the Sri Lankans.

"It has to change the way cricket is viewed in Pakistan," the wicketkeeper said.

"There will obviously be massive concerns now -- I don't know the time period you look at with something like this, but there are going to be massive concerns about touring Pakistan.

"It's obviously a tragedy. The thoughts of the team goes out to everyone involved, not just the players but all the support staff, the umpires and everyone involved."

Haddin played down the added security around the side.

"It's pretty normal. From the start of the tour, the security has been great," he said. "We go through a pre-tour visit before we go to any country to make sure everything is fine.

"Security at the hotel has been great since we arrived here in Durban."

Players are advised not to wander the beach front near the team hotel or go out after dark because Durban is a high crime area but so, too, was Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, hopes for a big money-spinning cricket season in India have been dealt a further blow as calls mount for the billion-dollar Premier League to be postponed due to security concerns.