Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara is backing England's bid to host the IPL after security fears have forced a venue re-think.
However Essex star admits disappointment with venue change
All-rounder Ravi Bopara is backing England's bid to host the Indian Premier League and believes the competition will serve as ideal preparation ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
The 23-year-old Essex star was one of five centrally-contracted players expecting to travel out to India to play three weeks in the multi-million pound tournament until security problems have forced the organisers to look elsewhere.
England and South Africa have been dubbed as likely alternative venues for the event, which runs from April 10-May 24, with both boards discussing the logistics of staging a tournament comprising 59 games in 45 days.
And Bopara, who was signed by Kings XI Punjab for $450,000 on a pro-rata basis, believes England would be a perfect alternative as he aims to use the IPL as preparation for the Twenty20 World Cup starting in June.
"I would welcome it being in England," he stressed. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that as long as the county schedule doesn't change and the West Indies tour remains unchanged then why not?
Distraction
"I think it's a little bit disappointing it won't be played in India. What I was looking forward to was the crowds, the hype, the whole IPL thing was exciting by being in India but if we're playing it in England then I'll just get on with it."
Bopara, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Owais Shah and Paul Collingwood are all set to feature for three weeks prior to the start of the West Indies Test series, which begins at Lord's on May 7.
But despite many critics believing time spent at the IPL will be a distraction, Bopara insists the time will not be wasted when England begin their opening game of the Twenty20 World Cup against Holland.
"I don't think the conditions in England will affect the spectacle but it will be harder to get big scores if IPL is in England," conceded Bopara.
"It may affect the scores but the five English players involved will be used to the conditions so that might help us and it should also help us for the World Cup so I think it's a good thing if it happens.
"Twenty20 cricket is getting bigger, more people are getting interested including kids and the fans love it. It's important these days and the IPL is very important to me.
"I think it's an opportunity for me to improve as a Twenty20 player knowing this Twenty20 World Cup is going to come around every few years."
