Wood’s £700k deal

MARK WOOD and Jonny Bairstow were bought for dizzying sums on a day when the Indian Premier League auctioneer collapsed due to light-headedness.

England fast bowler Wood will represent Lucknow Super Giants, one of two new franchises, after a bidding war involving Delhi and Mumbai. Bairstow was picked up by Punjab Kings. Wood and Bairstow will earn £731,250 and £658,125 respectively for the 2022 season.

Both were purchased in the knowledge that England’s multi-format players will miss the final week of the tournament ending on June 3 due to a clash with a home Test series against New Zealand.

The sales came either side of Hugh Edmeades being forced to retire on the opening day of the auction due to low blood pressure.