South African sun heats up IPL
Lalit Modi has proved his point in recent days as he has sought to play the England and Wales Cricket Board and its South African counterpart against one another as possible hosts for the travelling circus of the IPL, writes Owen Gibson in the Mail
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Lalit Modi has proved his point in recent days as he has sought to play the England and Wales Cricket Board and its South African counterpart against one another as possible hosts for the travelling circus of the IPL, writes Owen Gibson in the Mail and Guardian.
When England Cricket Board (ECB) chairperson Giles Clarke celebrated in Sydney with the World Cup-winning women’s team on Sunday, England were being talked of as favourites. By the time he landed in London on Thursday morning and headed to Lord’s for a reception in their honour, Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola was organising a press conference to declare victory
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In the end one of the key deciding factors was the most mundane one -- the British weather. While it can also be unpredictable in South Africa in April, the average temperature is 10 degrees higher and the odds of rain-free days are lower. But there were other factors at play.
Edward Griffiths, writing in the Witness, examines some the reasons why South Africa is one of the most preferred destinations for hosting international sporting tournaments, including the IPL.
“See yourself as others see you” is a useful maxim, and even the most genetically cynical, miserable and negative citizens will surely reflect on this past week and accept that, notwithstanding enduring poverty, crime and corruption, somebody must be getting something right within these borders.
Robert Houwing analyses each IPL team and tries to pick out which ones fans in South Africa can support. Read his piece on the Sport24 website.
Siddhartha Talya is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo