Why England Board accepted the BCCI invitation?

England Cricket Board has accepted the invitation to play in Indian domestic competition,Duleep Trophy. England Lions will feature in the tournament to be held in Jan-Fab 2008. English board is taking this a match practice for their New Zealand tour?

Going to New Zealand and practice in Indian flat wickets, this is over my head. Lions will be the sixth team to play in 46 year old Duleep trophy with West Zone, East Zone, North Zone, South Zone and Central Zone.