The British media rued a missed opportunity and counted the losses the country's cricketers would have to incur after the Indian Premier League organisers opted for South Africa to conduct the cash-rich Twenty20 event a week later than the scheduled start.

"IPL goes to sunny climes of South Africa," read the headline of a column in 'The Times'. "In the end, to quote a famous headline, it was the sun wot won it. The Indian Premier League (IPL) will not be coming to England next month," it said.