Newslands to host 4 IPL games

Cape Town (South Africa), Mar 26: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start with a bang at Newlands, with four games on the first two days of the series. The final programme will be finalised on Thursday, Mar 26, but it has been learned that the series will start at Newlands on 18 Apr with an opening ceremony and two games.

Provincial cricket bosses were scurrying on Wednesday, Mar 25 to make arrangements for the series, which starts in 23 days' time.

It was originally decided that the 59 games will be played in Johannesburg, Centurion, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London but Bloemfontein has also been added to the list. It is believed the Free State capital will host at least four games.

Cape Cobras chief executive Andri Odendaal said: "It's another opportunity for Cape supporters to see world class cricket. Spectators flooded to games in the local Pro20 Series and the recent test against Australia."

Newlands had serious problems with the outfield and two SuperSport games were moved to Paarl.

The problems have now been solved and the field is ready to be an important venue for the IPL series.

ANI