Justin Langer column
 |  | By Justin Langer Former Australia batsman and Somerset captain |
Cricket administrators worldwide have a delicate challenge on their hands in the way they handle the electricity being generated by the Indian Premier League.
 The world's best players rub shoulders in the IPL |
On the one hand they will need to capitalise on the vast finances and incredible global interest being generated by the IPL.
On the other they must ensure that all the best players are available to play in every other reputable competition taking place around the world.
The great challenge is to find a balance where the IPL becomes a cornerstone event which promotes our game in the most positive way possible.
International and domestic sides must also ensure that they have their best players playing to protect the integrity of the game worldwide.
| There is no doubt in my mind that the IPL is going to be massive |
As I watched the first few games on TV from India last weekend there was no doubt in my mind that the IPL is going to be massive.
The build-up has been equal to any of the great sporting events including the Olympic Games and any World Cup tournament.
To say the auction process was spectacular is an understatement and from what we have seen the hype of the games is living up to expectations.
I have been brought up on Australian Rules football and therefore, to the shock horror of all of my English friends, I am not necessarily a devoted soccer fan.
This said, I love watching the Premier League because I can enjoy the world's best players plying their brilliant trade week in week out on the fields of England.
Turn on to Manchester United and the great Ronaldo is rubbing shoulders with Wayne Rooney, Patrick Evra and Carlos Tevez.
| Retiring from international cricket, I thought, would spell the end of encounters with Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pieterson |
Equally, tune into IPL's Chennai Super Kings and Matty Hayden, Mike Hussey, Jacob Oram and Muttiah Muralitharan are being led by cricket's current hottest property in Mahendra Dhoni.
While the Super Kings may not be a household name right now, they may well be in the near future.
Even as an ardent cricket purist I love playing and watching Twenty20 cricket and I have to say the IPL spectacle has been nothing short of phenomenal.
While it would have been brilliant to be a part of the first season of IPL (I am contracted to play for the Jaipur-based Rajasthan Royals from 2009), I have to say it is great to be back in England and captaining Somerset.
 Langer will spend this season with Somerset before joining the IPL |
Last season left me with many cherished memories but while winning the second division with Somerset is one thing, being a part of the first division is another.
Retiring from international cricket, I thought, would spell the end of any more encounters with players of the calibre of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.
But in the next week I will be back locking horns with these two English gladiators.
There are few greater competitors in this country and the first division will allow me and my team-mates the opportunity to challenge ourselves against the best players and the best teams.
Having come from the bottom of the second division last year I have no doubts that Somerset are in for a battle all summer.
But I am hoping the momentum and confidence gained from last year will at least count for something.
Like the IPL, the best part of playing first-class and international cricket is having the opportunity to test yourself against the best players.
That is why the administrators must get it right over the next 12 months to ensure this happens consistently.
From Taunton,
JL
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