Big hitters and a magician
Five to watch in the IPL auction
MANY of the world’s top cricketers will be among 332 players going under the hammer when the Indian Premier League holds its auction today. Here are five players who could break the bank when the eight teams in the Twenty20 tournament place their bids in Kolkata:
GLENN MAXWELL (AUSTRALIA)
Explosive hitter Maxwell has scored 1,397 runs in the IPL at an average of 22.9 at a rapid strike rate of 161.13. He is one of the five Australians to have their base price set at INR20m (RM1.16m).
EOIN MORGAN (ENGLAND)
Fast-scoring Morgan will be a hot property having set his base price at INR15m (RM873,000). Morgan last played for Kings XI Punjab in 2017 and went unsold last year, but that is unlikely to happen again given his exploits in the World Cup which included a world record 17 sixes in blasting 148 off 71 balls against Afghanistan.
JASON ROY (ENGLAND)
Rated as one of the game’s most destructive limited-overs openers, South African-born batsman Roy could trigger a bidding war given his rapid strike rate of more than 145 in Twenty20s and a base price of INR15m. He played previously for the now-defunct Gujarat Lions and Delhi Capitals.
TABRAIZ SHAMSI (SOUTH AFRICA)
Shamsi has emerged as South Africa’s first-choice limited-overs spinner since Imran Tahir’s retirement from ODIs. The left-arm bowler’s unusual wicket celebrations include the magician’s trick of turning a handkerchief into a stick, with online footage of his exploits going viral. Shamsi has set his base price at a modest INR5m (290,000).
SHIMRON HETMYER (WEST INDIES)
Hetmyer is fast building a reputation as the new big-hitting weapon to take over from the nowretired Chris Gayle and the 22-year-old would have done no harm to his auction price with a sparkling career-best 139 in the West Indies’ oneday international win against India on Sunday. The left-hander, whose release by the Virat Kohliled Royal Challengers Bangalore may yet turn out to be a huge mistake, toyed with the Indian bowling. Hetmyer smashed 11 fours and seven sixes during his 106-ball blitz, but denied that he had an eye on the auction. He who should see plenty of interest at a base price of INR5m. the pink-ball Test. The left-arm quick got through a nets session unscathed on a scorching hot day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) yesterday in a boost to Kane Williamson’s team. “(I’m) feeling pretty good. Probably a little bit frustrated to be on the sidelines watching the games go by,” the 30year-old told reporters. “I feel like I’ve been rehabbing well. The ball’s coming out alright, I’m hoping to be pushing for Boxing Day and getting back out there. Test cricket is my favourite format, this is the stage a lot of people dream of being on,” Boult said. “To get this opportunity in my career is definitely something I’m looking forward to.”
Sherrock makes history
FALLON SHERROCK was left “buzzing” after making history by becoming the first woman to beat a man at the PDC World Darts Championship when she defeated Ted Evetts yesterday. Sherrock, the former BDO Women’s World Championship runner-up, recovered from losing the opening set to beat the 22year-old Evetts 3-2, scoring six maximum 180s in the first-round contest. “I’m buzzing! I can’t believe I’ve made history tonight… done it for the girls, that was amazing,” tweeted the 25year-old Englishwoman from Milton Keynes after prevailing in a pulsating encounter at London’s Alexandra Palace. “I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say,” Sherrock told Sky Sports after her victory. “I feel really happy because I have proven something for women’s darts, that women can play the men and beat them, so fingers crossed this is a move in the right direction.”