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Lord’s can host IPL matches

The hallowed Lord’s grounds could host Indian Premier League (IPL) matches if the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) actualises its plan to buy a team.

MCC Chief Executive Keith Bradshaw said he has held talks with a consortium bidding to buy a franchise. However, any such plans would be discussed with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

”It’s a logical conclusion that if the MCC were involved with an IPL side, to have that side playing at Lord’s would be extremely exciting,” Bradshaw was quoted as saying in BBC Sports.

Bradshaw added that, should the plans become reality, fans would have the chance “to come along and see the IPL and to see what is in effect their own team playing at Lord’s”.

Two new IPL teams - each with a base price of $225 million - are up for grabs at an auction to be held in India next month.

Bradshaw and club trustee Anthony Wreford travelled to India at the weekend to meet consortium members and IPL officials.

The club, which owns Lord’s cricket ground, has since set up a committee to consider the findings.

”At the heart of considering something like this is our feeling that in order to influence the game it’s better to be inside the tent than outside the tent,” said Bradshaw.

”The IPL is innovative and exciting and it’s something which is becoming more and more powerful in terms of the world of cricket.”

The IPL has been a huge success since its inception in 2008, attracting the world’s top players on lucrative contracts.

England stars Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan have all been signed up for this year’s tournament which starts March 12.

The new IPL franchises will be sold at an auction of sealed bids before the 2010 IPL season starts.