South Africa to host IPL 2 England loses out

South Africa was on Tuesday named as the host for the second edition of the Indian Premier League which has been shifted out of India
because of security apprehensions.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola announced the news formally in a press conference in Johannesburg. The decision to hold the lucrative Twenty20 tournament was taken after a meeting between Modi and Majola at an undisclosed venue.

"We are very happy to confirm that South Africa will host the 2009 Indian Premier League," IPL chairman Lalit Modi said in a statement following a meeting with Cricket South Africa.

Modi and Majola are scheduled to make an official announcement at 2030 IST.

The tournament, which was to commence on April 10 and end on May 24, will now begin on April 18.

South Africa was preferred ahead of England because of the fact that rain is inevitable in England during April and May. Added to that, the price of telecasting the matches, transport, accommodation and security, will cost less than half what it would be for the tournament to be held in England.

Majola has assured the Board of Control for Cricket in India top-class security for the cricketers and also use of the country's main stadiums.

South Africa was considered to be a better option because the cost of running the tournament would be substantially less than in England and their domestic event would have concluded by the time IPL began, sources said.

Six venues have been identified for staging the eight-team tournament and the matches will start at 4 pm IST and 8 pm IST to make it convenient for Indian television viewers back home. The tournament will feature 59 matches as planned and the fixtures will be announced shortly.

South Africa pipped England as the venue after the BCCI decided to shift the tournament outside India because of security issues in view of the general elections.

Moreover, South Africa is closer to India and that would give a time advantage over England.

Importantly, in this time of recession, the cost of holding the tournament will be cheaper in South Africa than in England, though the overall expenses will go a manifold because of the switch from India.