Unless some time is given up then we might start losing the 33, 34-year-old players from international cricket Ricky Ponting

He said: "If a guy is approaching the end of his career, being able to play 44 days I'm sure is very attractive.

"They have families and can get a bit sick and tired of the travel."

Ponting has been touted as a possible star name in the Twenty20 competition in April and May, but Australia are due to tour Pakistan at the same time.

His vice-captain Adam Gilchrist will retire as an international player in the first week of March and is then expected to be one of the participants in the IPL.

The IPL was set up as a rival to the non-ICC sanctioned Indian Cricket League.

Meanwhile, the ICL has captured the signatures of 10 Pakistan players in recent days, who will effectively see their international career suspended.

The IPL does not carry such a severe threat, but Ponting still believes it holds "some dangers".

606: DEBATE It's possible the IPL and home unions will now be in open competition for uncontracted players Ambonn

He said: "We can't control what the Pakistanis are doing or other countries are doing.

"But in Australia you would like to think that the fabric is still there for young Australian players, and older players, to continue to play as many games as you can for your country."

Ponting said he would like to see a window in the scheduling to allow international players to play in the IPL.

"Unless some time is given up then we might start losing the 33, 34-year-old players from international cricket," he said.

"Otherwise there will be guys making the decision of whether they continue in both forms of the game or have a bigger break every year and play 44 days of Twenty20 cricket and make even more money than they are internationally."