Oz cricketers want privacy protection before committing to illicit drug-testing code

The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) has demanded that cricketers are given privacy protection before they commit to an illicit drug-testing code.

Sydney, Aug.28 : The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) has demanded that cricketers are given privacy protection before they commit to an illicit drug-testing code.

ACA President Darren Lehmann said the union is anxious not to hang its members "out to dry", as Cricket Australia's 25 contracted players yesterday were briefed at a camp on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on issues, including the imminent introduction of a testing regime for recreational drugs.

Cricket is leaning towards a system similar to the National Rugby League model - a first positive test would see penalties deferred if the player agreed to counselling, while a second would attract a harsher punishment.

The ACA has been working with Cricket Australia, medical experts and government bodies to formulate a policy. Shane Watson and Matthew Hayden have publicly supported an illicit drugs code.

But the release of medical records detailing the drug histories of two AFL players has created some unease.

"Confidentiality is the biggest one for us. We are pretty close to getting sorted with our drug code, and we would hope that would be (done) in the next couple of months," AAP quoted Lehmann, as saying.

All first-class cricketers have completed a survey on their attitudes to illicit drugs, the results of which will remain confidential.

The new code will be in place by the start of the domestic season in October, while players will continue to be tested under World Anti-Doping Agency regulations on match days.

The system preferred by Cricket Australia has the support of the Federal Government and is tougher than the controversial AFL "three-strikes" policy now in crisis.

Meantime, the ACA and Cricket Australia are monitoring the safety and security situation in Hyderabad following Saturday's bomb blasts, which killed 42 people.

Ricky Ponting's team is scheduled to play a one-day international in that city on October 5.

ANI