As relations between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the officials from IPL continue to improve in the wake of the Test team's recent return to India, Indian Premier League matches could be held in England. ECB said in a statement, "ECB has held discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India during the Test match in Mohali, which include both the Future Tours Programme and also the Twenty20 cricket. The ECB wishes to put on record its appreciation for the comprehensive and excellent arrangements made by the BCCI in both Chennai and Mohali and welcomes the progress made during the talks in Mohali in areas of mutual interest."  

A month ago, discussions between the two boards had virtually broken down over the availability of England players. It is thought that the new central contracts will only allow the players a 15-day window as the ECB looks to protect the early summer Test series, which clashes with the IPL. But it has emerged that the IPL officials have offered to stage the matches in this country which would give England players longer to participate and use it as a warm-up for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament, starting on June 5.  

Logistically it will be difficult to squeeze more matches into the 2009 schedule although it is expected that an IPL franchise will make its English debut next season. It is more likely that IPL matches will be staged in 2010, the summer the ECB hopes to launch its own Twenty20 English Premier League. With IPL matches taking place in England, a possible merger of the two leagues could be the way forward.