Western Province Cricket announced on Tuesday that Indian Premier League tickets would go on sale from Friday at Newlands as well as at Computicket.

Newlands Stadium manager Cyril Martin confirmed that there has been “major interest” from the public and that ticket prices had been kept in line with those for the ICC Twenty20 World Championships in 2007. “We’ve done everything in our power to keep prices affordable.”

Ticket prices for the opening day, Saturday, April 18, which will comprise a double-header – Bollywood entertainment during the mid-afternoon break and an opening ceremony after the two matches – will range from R50 for children, R100 for a grass ticket, to R200 for a seat. During the opening ceremony, Hollywood actors Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman are likely to make an appearance alongside Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta.

Last year’s finalists, the Chennai Super Kings, will open the tournament against the Mumbai Indians – local hero JP Duminy and Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar’s team.

The second match will be between the inaugural IPL champions the Rajasthan Royals and the Bangalore Royal Challengers. The Royals will feature Australian legend Shane Warne and Proteas skipper Graeme Smith while the Challengers have a large SA contingent headed by Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher.
Source – iol.co.za