It’s one of life’s little ironies I suppose, writes Shropshire Star Sports Editor Dave Ballinger.

IPL bosses rejected England as a substitute host for their ‘stellar’ tournament when it became clear it wasn’t possible to stage it in India.

Weather not good enough, they said.

So while the likes of Old Trafford, Trent Bridge, Lord’s, The Brit Oval and Edgbaston bathe in the balmy spring sunshine, some IPL games in South Africa have been dogged by Messers Duckworth and Lewis.

The likes of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen were probably hoping to soak up a bit of late Port Elizabeth sunshine when they heard the tournament was being switched due to security fears in India.

But the weather has proved a little troublesome, while at Sunday’s games in the Friends Provident Trophy in England there was barely a cloud in sight.

Normally the first few days of the cricket season, both nationally and in Shropshire, is dominated by pictures of umbrellas and covers under grey skies.

Not this year, although the first round of LV County Championship games were disrupted.

There was virtually a full programme of games in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier League at the weekend – only Much Wenlock’s clash with Welshpool falling victim of a wet outfield.

Cricketers across the county will be hoping it is a sign of things to come after two seasons which have been ruined by the poor summer weather.

If the weather holds (fingers crossed) it will be a pleasure to set out of the pavillion again without the sound of squelching from a wet outfield.

And maybe the likes of Michael Vaughan will be able to get enough practice under his belt and rediscover his form so he can be part of a successful Ashes summer – just like in 2005.