South Africa's cricket scoop

It was not too long ago that rumours were doing the rounds that Fifa, football's world governing body, had a Plan B should South Africa not be ready to host the 2010 World Cup.

How ironic, then, that at a time when those rumours have dissipated, South Africa is now very much the Plan B for international cricket.

Just a week after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the country would replace Pakistan as hosts of the Champions Trophy in September, the Indian Premier League (IPL) have now turned to South Africa to host the second season of their lucrative tournament.

Faced with the choice of cancelling the tournament due to security concerns in India or moving it to a different country, the IPL bosses opted for South Africa over England.

Factors which counted in South Africa's favour included the more favourable weather during April and May when the 59 games will be played, the lower costs of running the tournament and the more convenient time difference for the Indian television audience.

Source: www.bbc.com

Posted on Wednesday 25th March 2009

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