Port Elizabeth , April 10 (IANS) The second edition of Indian Premier League will be more competitive than the inaugural season, feels Kings XI coach Tom Moody.Moody said there was no way anybody can pick one team above the other, and said that all the sides were evenly matched.

“All the teams in the competition are very strong,” said Moody.

“I think it would be foolish of anyone to try and predict who the favourites or second favourites will be.”

The former Australian international said the South African public would be in for a first-class experience when the Twenty20 tournament exploded into action April 18.

“The thing about the IPL – and we saw this in India last year – is that you see some outstanding cricket because you?ve got all the world?s best players on stage in one tournament. So you?re in for a treat,” Moody was quoted as saying by The Herald.

Moody identified the Delhi Daredevils as one of the Kings XI?s biggest threats. The teams meet in Cape Town April 19.

“Delhi Daredevils is always a tough game for us. We have got them first up and they boast a good international list but also have some very good Indian stars.”

Moody said the franchise had been received well since arriving in at the start of the week.

“It?s of great excitement for us to have the opportunity to practice at terrific facilities here in Port Elizabeth. The ground at St George?s is certainly world class, the pitches have been world class and we are enjoying the experience.

“That?s particularly so for our Indian players who need to get used to conditions here in South Africa.”

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.

With the state governments playing tough on sparing forces for security, the Indian Premier League (IPL) was today shifted to another country amid speculation that England or South Africa would be the venue for the second edition of the high-profile event.

The decision to shift the Twenty20 tournament out of the country was taken at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) emergency Working Committee meeting here to take a final call on the cash-rich event which had run into rough weather because of security apprehensions.

“Because of the attitude of the government that they are not ready to spare security forces for the cricket tournament… We are forced to take the decision to move the event out of India,” BCCI President Shashank Manohar told a press conference.

However, the IPL will be played on its original dates between April 10 and May 24. The BCCI had failed to get clearance from the Union Home Ministry for security cover because the tournament clashes with the Lok Sabha elections.

“So the board has decided to take the tournament out of the country. We are in discussion with other boards who are willing to host the event. I apologise to the people of India for moving the tournament out,” Manohar said.

About Rs 1,800 crore are riding on IPL, including revenues from broadcast rights, advertisements, sponsorships and player fees.

- Business Standard

WELLINGTON: New Zealand were struggling to avoid a massive defeat in the first test against India at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday.

When lunch was taken on the fourth day, the Kiwis were in disarray at 146 for five in their second innings, still needing another 95 runs just to make the Indians bat a second time.

New Zealand had started the day already in deep trouble at 75-3 and things only got worse when they lost two wickets in the morning session for the addition of 71 runs.

Ross Taylor batted for almost an hour for just four runs before his concentration gave way and he departed with the total on 110, deflecting a wide delivery from paceman Munaf Patel to Virender Sehwag at gully.

First innings centurion Jesse Ryder then tried to raise the tempo with a quick 21 off 27 balls, featuring two boundaries and a six, before he too came unstuck, trapped leg before wicket by spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Singh was unlucky not to claim another wicket when Daniel Flynn edged behind on 55 but wicketkeeper and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni dropped the chance.

Flynn survived to the reach lunch interval unbeaten on a watchful 62 from 155 deliveries with James Franklin not out seven and the pair needing a big partnership to halt India’s push for victory.

- Economic Times

Mohali (Punjab), March 18 (IANS) Fast bowler S. Sreesanth will miss the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) season two in April-May due to a stress fracture in his lower back, his IPL team Kings XI Punjab announced Wednesday.

Sreesanth is currently in Sydney receiving treatment from the Kings XI Punjab physio Patrick Farhart as part of his rehabilitation.

The bowler will instead be associated with his team as ‘fan mentor and community face’.

“I intend to be with the team all along the IPL season. I will be their motivator and will cheer them through to the IPL Season 2 finals so that I can play the champions league with Kings XI Punjab. The new role that I will play in the interim for Kings Xi Punjab as a fan mentor and community face is going to be very exciting,” the bowler said in a statement.

“It is unfortunate that Sreesanth will not be participating in the season 2 due to his back injury. He is a performer and was a great asset to the team last season and his absence on the field will surely be felt, Kings XI Punjab coach Tom Moody said.

“Sreesanth is an integral part of Kings XI Punjab. The role that we have envisaged for him this year is exciting and vital. He will be pivotal to our playing squad and to our community through various initiatives which will promote the game and the franchise,” the Kings XI team co-owner Ness Wadia said.

Sreesanth had a run-in with Indian teammate Harbhajan Singh during a match here April last year with Singh slapping him in full public view on the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) ground here following a verbal exchange.