London, March 22 (IANS) The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is willing to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) after it was confirmed that the tourney will be held overseas.
England and South Africa have emerged as front-runners to host the event after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sunday announced the Twenty20 tournament will be held overseas after state governments' refusal to sanction security for the event as it clashes with general elections in the country.
'We have a very good relationship with the BCCI, if they need any help on matters,' ECB chairman Giles Clarke was quoted as saying in the Telegraph. 'We normally talk to them a great deal and we would be delighted to help again.'
Enland Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe expressed confidence that the country could fill in at short notice to stage the event.
'I'm sure it would be possible (to stage the IPL in England),'he said.'We have picked up lots of experience recently of hosting world-class events and the ECB can do that.'
Cricket South Africa (CSA), meanwhile, has confirmed that the IPL contacted it on the possibility of hosting the second edition of the tournament, which is due to start April 10 and conclude May 24.
'We received an official approach this morning to be one of several options they are considering to host the tournament outside India,' said CSA chief executive officer Gerald Majola.
A decision on the venue will be announced Monday evening.
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