Manoj Badale, one of the backers of Twenty20 cricket in India, planned to bring Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders to the Oval on July 15 and 16. UK pay-broadcaster BSkyB, however, is covering NatWest Pro40 matches on both days and the England Cricket Board’s contract with the broadcaster prohibits companies from televising the charity event.
Badale would not comment on whether this was an attempt to bring the IPL to England but, Sheldon, the Surrey chief executive, said: “We have an arrangement with the ECB to run charity matches and part of our mission is to fill up the Oval. We have tried very hard to put the match on and are disappointed that there is no prospect of broadcasting rights, but we quite understand the contractual situation between the ECB and Sky”.
Asian broadcaster, ESPN Star Sports, which through the ECB has the rights to show Pro40 cricket in India, was also unable to show the match.
