Clarke backs IPL to be success in England

Giles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), said here on Tuesday that the Indian Premier League (IPL) would be a major success if it came to Britain.

His comments came with IPL commissioner Lalit Modi in South Africa, England's rival to stage this year's tournament, for talks which could see the new host announced later on Tuesday.

The second edition of the IPL, a lucrative Twenty20 tournament played by franchise teams backed by wealthy businessmen and Bollywood cinema stars, cannot be played in its homeland,

That is because the Indian government has said that, due to a clash of dates, it does not have sufficient security forces to cover both the April 10-May 24 competition and the country's general elections

Several factors, including weather, finance and television rights, appear to be in Cricket South Africa's favour. It has also been suggested they would enjoy greater government support.

But Clarke, speaking at London's Lord's Cricket Ground, where the ECB have their headquarters, told Sky Sports: "The (British) Government has made it extremely clear that should the ECB and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) decide they have an arrangement to have the tournament in England, the Government will demonstrate how well sporting tournaments can be run in this country.

"We all know this country can run international sporting events and major sporting events extremely well."

Former Somerset chairman Clarke added: "This is a very important tournament for cricket.

"It was only last Saturday that my friends from the BCCI contacted me in St Lucia. We talked about the question of whether we were in a position to help.

"We're always prepared to do what we can to help others in world cricket."

But the realisation that rain, which in the early part of an English season often interrupts games, could adversely affect up to 70 percent of the IPL fixture schedule has focused the BCCI's attention on South Africa.

The South African domestic season is due to end just the day before the IPL's scheduled start.

By contrast, bringing the IPL to England would mean a clash with both the county programme and England's home series against the West Indies.