ECB chief praises IPL

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) Despite the fact that no English player is playing in the IPL, England Cricket Board (ECB) congratulated the BCCI for the success of the lucrative league and compared it to the Rugby world Cup in scale and scope.

''You will be aware that in recent weeks David Collier, our outstanding Chief Executive, and I have been to India to witness, at first hand, the Indian Premier League. Our admiration for what has been achieved is immense,'' ECB Chairman Giles Clarke said yesterday in a statement.

Clarke told the ECB's AGM at Lord's that his admiration for what has been achieved by the BCCI is huge.

''It was, as the Indians say, a great tamasha. There was light, glitz, glamour and music. We must congratulate them on establishing a tournament which has the same scope and scale which can be compared to the Rugby World Cup.

''Those who were in Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai will talk of a great spectacle and a great show,'' he added.

Chairman Giles Clarke witnessed the initial rounds of the IPL with his CEO David Collier.

He also said that his trip to India has helped in ''forging great personal relationships with our great friends from the BCCI.'' However, Clarke is happy that these relationships had allowed him to return home with a clear mandate for the Champions League.

''I am personally delighted that the excellent relations we have with the BCCI and Cricket Australia have made this possible,'' he stated.

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