Ferguson, Anderson in IPL mix
A searing one-day series against Pakistan and an impressive debut season in 2017 should see Black Caps fast bowler Lockie Ferguson among the sought-after names at the Indian Premier League auction.
Ferguson joins 12 other New Zealand cricketers gunning for limited spots to fill out the respective rosters for next year’s tournament when the auction kicks off in Jaipur late today.
Also hoping for a recall to the IPL are Brendon Mccullum and Corey Anderson, both of whom were released last month by Royal Challengers Bangalore who also jettisoned their coach, Daniel Vettori.
Ferguson was picked up for a tick over $100,000 at auction for the 2017 IPL and his rising Pune Supergiant team made the final. He made his name by taking 2-7 off four overs against Virat Kohli’s Bangalore, but was overlooked at the auction for the most recent tournament.
His 11 wickets at 12.81 in the three ODIS against Pakistan last month will have caught the eye, along with the appeal of fast bowlers and allrounders in the IPL.
Ferguson set his reserve at the equivalent of $200,000, along with Martin Guptill who hasn’t always found favour with IPL owners and coaches.
It will be competitive, with just 20 slots left for overseas players in the auction given a large chunk were retained by franchises including the big names of Indian and world cricket. Among those retained were nine Black Caps: Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Mitchell Mcclenaghan, Adam Milne, Trent Boult, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson, Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner. The latter, soon to return from knee surgery, was retained by coach Stephen Fleming’s Chennai Super Kings.
Mccullum is an interesting case as he warms up for the Big Bash League in Australia, having been let go by his Pakistan T20 side and Bangalore in recent months amid some lean form. His status in the IPL and past performances will help his chances, along with Anderson who has performed well in India. Both set their reserve at just over $400,000.
Seamer Matt Henry, allrounder Jimmy Neesham and wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi have been to the IPL before and – all in form – may attract interest at the base price of $150,000.
Kings XI Punjab have the most slots to fill after a player cleanout, and new coach Mike Hesson will know the New Zealand players well.
Analysis by Espncricinfo rated Ferguson, Anderson, Ronchi and Neesham as the most likely to attract interest of the New Zealanders.
In their favour is that New Zealand and West Indies are the only boards to release their players for the entire IPL as the Cricket World Cup looms in late May, soon after the IPL final.
Australian T20 stars Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch opted out of the auction as Cricket Australia require their ODI players back in the country on May 2. England’s cup squad are required even earlier, on April 25.
Dates and venues are yet to be confirmed for the IPL which is tentatively scheduled to run from late March to mid-may.
The auction is set to start after 10pm.