London, Dec 11: England captain Kevin Pietersen and all rounder Andrew Flintoff may have to pay off their counties before they are allowed to sign lucrative contracts to play in the Indian Premier League in April.

Hampshire and Lancashire are seeking compensation as England's two star players are poised to cash in on the richest tournament in cricket history, The Guardian reported.

Pietersen already has an offer of 1.7m dollars on the table and looks certain to play in the IPL.

Perth, Dec. 11 : Australian left-armer Mitchell Johnson has warned South Africa that the home side's pace attack will also be fast and dangerous on the bouncy WACA wicket in next week's first Test.

Johnson, who has been in brilliant form with 50 wickets in 2008 including 14 at 11 in the recent 2-0 whitewash of New Zealand, says the tourists shouldn't get too carried away with their own pace attack of Dale Steyn (60 wickets this year), Morne Morkel (37) and Makhaya Ntini (46).

"There has always been talk about the WACA wicket being back to its old self," The Age quoted Johnson, as saying.

Mohali, Dec 11: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given security clearance for Mohali as the venue for the second test in India.

ECB''s Managing Director Hugh Morris has confirmed Mohali as the venue for the second Test match and said that the England team is looking forward to play at Mohali.

"I would like to say a very big thank to the Punjab Cricket Association and previously to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. The England team is delighted to be back in India," said Morris.

Sydney, Dec. 11: There is still apprehension among some Australian players about touring India or Pakistan in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Some senior players have told The Australian they are uncertain about future tours.

Australian vice captain Michael Clarke said on Wednesday that security is a key issue he had to weigh up when considering a possible signing with the Indian Premier League in 2009.

"I have a lot of things to consider. Obviously I have to think about the amount of cricket we are playing, I am trying to plan a wedding as well and I have to think about what has happened there recently," Clarke was quoted, as saying.

Melbourne, Dec. 11: Former South African bowling great Allan Donald believes that Morne Morkel will be the new ''White Lightning''of Test cricket, and could become the world''s most devastating fast bowler.

Hailing the "scary'''' potential of the rumbling 201 centimeter tall Proteas'' pacer, Donald said: "It is scary that he is as good as he is after a handful of Tests. If he''s not put under unnecessary pressure and is managed well, he''ll surpass anything I achieved in my career."

Chennai, Dec 10 : Indian cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said that the team has to think beyond security concerns.

Talking to media here ahead of the first test of the two-match series against England, he said that security people are doing their job and players need not be bothered about it.