IPL gets South Africa boost

There was talk that five players of the South African team — currently touring India — would have to leave after the third Test in Kanpur to play for their domestic Twenty20 team Cobras in South Africa. Graeme Smith (picture right), Mark Boucher, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince have however been allowed to stay back in India after the Test series is over and take part in the IPL beginning April 18. “We are grateful to the South African board and their team (Cobras) for allowing these players for the IPL,” Lalit Modi said on Monday evening.

Three others South African cricketers, AB de Villiers, Albie Morkel and Dale Steyn — who’re a part of the Twenty20 team ‘Titans’ — have also received assurance to be a part of the IPL. Modi informed that “talks are on currently regarding their availability and we should be able to arrive at a positive conclusion in the next 24 hours.”

Meanwhile, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Loots Bosman — who play for Dolphins, Warriors and Eagles respectively — will also be available. In short, if talks with the South African board and the ‘Titans’ comes through, all ten South African players who had signed contracts with the IPL will be available for the entire tournament.

New Zealand Cricket has allowed its five players — Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills and Brendon McCullum — to miss the warm-up matches on tour of England to participate in the IPL. This means these players will be available to play in the IPL until the first Test between New Zealand and England begins on May 15. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has also allowed its three premier batsmen Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle to miss the first two Tests against the touring Australians. According to the IPL rule for participating cricketers, they are scheduled to arrive at their respective franchise...