Kallis, Boucher, Gayle, Sarwan for IPL

MUMBAI, November 7: The Cricket Board-promoted Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday announced the signing up of the South African trio of Jaques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini besides West Indian opener Chris Gayle and captain Ramnaresh Sarwan.
The roping in of these five top international stars has boosted the number of signings of the $3 million prize money IPL to 49 players for its inaugural tournament to be held in April, 2008, a media release said on Wednesday.
The IPL has already signed up retired Australian greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, current Australian captain Ricky Ponting, all-rounder Andrew Symonds and left-handed openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, Sri Lankan stars Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan and Pakistani quartet of Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik and speedster Shoaib Akhtar in its impressive list.
IPL chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said the League was fulfilling its promise to the cricket fans of delivering high class T20 action.
"IPL had publicly promised the Indian cricket fans of delivering high voltage Twenty20 cricket action through some of the most talented international and national cricketers," he said.
"In line with that commitment, I am happy to state that we have completed the first phase by signing some of the best international talent available", he added.