Zeecric Bureau
Durban, March 24: Just like the rapidly oscillating fortunes of any T20 game, South Africa pipped England to claim the hosting rights for the second season of the Indian Premier League.
A decision in this regard was taken after the meeting between Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi and Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola in Johannesburg. The tournament is expected to kick off on the 17th April.
Lalit Modi and Majola are expected to hold a joint press conference later in the evening and give a formal confirmation. SA have reportedly offered a heavy relaxation in its visa rules to felicitate the event.
The possibility of a rainy spring became a major obstacle in hosting the event in England. Modi admitted that the big worry in England was the threat of rain disrupting matches. As many as 70 percent matches in England ran the risk of being adversely affected.
Whether IPL commissioner would still carry on with his likely visit to London was yet not clear. SA was chosen as the better venue also because of the time difference which makes it more viable with 12.30 PM start in the host nation against England’s 11.30 AM start.
Manoj Badale, co-owner of Rajasthan Royals - the team that won the inaugural IPL championship last year - said South Africa is the preferred destination.
"Certainly based on the conversations I have had, if it goes outside India you'd have to suggest South Africa is the likeliest venue," Badale was quoted as saying.
Badale, who lives in west London, said moving the tournament to England would be a risk because of the weather.
"April is the start of the cricket season - it's cold and it's not a prime-time cricket-watching part of the season. People aren't yet on holiday and people haven't really tuned into the cricket mentality."
CSA has already told various provincial unions around South Africa to keep their venues in prime condition to host one of the eight teams.
Former South Africa international and Mumbai Indians player Shaun Pollock said his country has emerged as the favourite destination.
"I think it's all of a sudden become the favourite," Pollock said.
"The advantage for us is that all our domestic cricket is finished and the stadiums are pretty vacant, and all the facilities are available to be used. We are extremely pleased with the news,” he added.
"The weather's also pretty good and I think the timeframe of the viewing will fit in nicely to the Indian schedule. So there's a lot of things going for it."
Apart from the rain, broadcasting could also have been a problem for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Likely Venues Johannesburg, Durban, Centurion and Pretoria.
zee
First Published: Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 00:00