Why would you want the IPL played in England?

It seemed amazing that anyone might consider England to host the IPL after the BCCI came round to the idea that they couldn't hold the IPL at the same time as the Indian elections. But if you believe the press, they did consider England strongly until today, when South Africa has become the frontrunner.

Yes, England has a number of grounds well capable of hosting matches, but the weather had to be a show-stopper. Afterall, what would those poor cheerleaders do? Rather than their normal atire....

....they'd be forced to wear this sort of thing....

Clearly it's not a goer, and that's before you consider the ECB's relationship with Setanta and the BCCI, despite the fact that it's improved a bit recently.

The sun of South Africa and a board that gets on well with the BCCI seems like a far more attractive and sensible option.