England cricket chiefs were furious at county clubs for hiring Australian players ahead of the Ashes.

So the prospect of Test stars like Brett Lee, Mike Hussey, Simon Katich and Shane Watson arriving early to adjust to local conditions while playing in a transplanted Indian Premier League must have been even more irksome.

Not only would the Australians have had extra time in England before the Ashes start on July 8, they would also have enjoyed the perfect warm-up for the World Twenty20 tournament in June.

The fact they won’t have that opportunity is unlikely to soften the blow of England being overlooked to host the lucrative IPL in favour of South Africa.

As IPL commissioner Lalit Modi put it: “The IPL is a big competition. We would bring around $US100 million ($A142 million) of revenue to the British economy and anybody in a recession would want to have us.”

England was the hot tip – particularly in England – to stage the second annual IPL tournament after security concerns in India prompted a search for an alternative venue in April and May.

That was before questions were raised over England’s suitability, not least because of its inclement weather.
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To a large extent, the country’s famously dodgy weather ruined its bid.