South Africa is a more practical choice: ECB

Though South Africa was chosen to host the second edition of the Indian Premier League even before IPL commissioner Lalit Modi held talks with officials of the England and Wales Cricket Board in London, scheduled for Wednesday, the ECB recognised that the IPL organisers had taken the practical option.

"The England and Wales Cricket Board has today (Tuesday) been thanked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their readiness to be a venue for the Indian Premier League," a statement from ECB said.

"Both the ECB and BCCI recognised that there were logistical issues, including climate and permanent floodlights, which made South Africa a more practical choice in the timescale available."