Two of Australia’s rising cricket stars have cashed in with bumper pay days at the Women’s Premier League auction in India.
Allrounder Annabel Sutherland sparked a bidding war between the Delhi Capitals and the Mumbai Indians to land her services.
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With a starting price of 40 lakh ($72,000), the 22-year-old was quickly bidded up to a whopping 200 lakh ($364,000) to become the second most expensive Australian player in history behind Ashleigh Gardner, who netted ($582,000) in last year’s inaugural draft.
Delhi coach Jonathan Batty, who also coaches the Melbourne Stars where Sutherland plays, was delighted to secure her services.
“She was the No.1 allrounder on the list, she can bowl in all three phases of the game and can bat anywhere from three to number seven,” he said.
“Annabel is a very multi-skilled player … she’s really level, she’s got great leadership attributes and is a great team player.
“She covers a lot of bases with us – a fast bowler and her batting prowess really completes our squad. She was going to be our No.1 pick from the start with all those attributes.”
Sutherland joins fellow Victorian and retired Australian captain Meg Lanning at the Capitals, along with Jess Jonassen and Laura Harris, who were all retained prior to the auction.
Phoebe Litchfield was the first Aussie auctioned off on Saturday night and also drew interest from multiple teams.
The 20-year-old, who started at 30 lakh ($54,00), was eventually sold to the Gujarat Giants for 100 lakh ($182,000).
Litchfield will play alongside Aussie teammate Lauren Cheatle, who also landed at the Giants for 30 lakh ($55,000).
All-rounder Georgie Wareham was picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for 40 lakh ($73,000) during the early stages of the auction.
And she was later joined at Bangalore by Sophie Molineux, who went for 30 lakh ($55,000).
Alana King, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Kim Garth were among the Aussies that went unsold.
Aussies at the WPL Auction
Annabel Sutherland: 200 lakh (A$364,000) – Delhi Capitals
Phoebe Litchfield: 100 lakh (A$182,000) – Gujarat Giants
Georgia Wareham: 40 lakh (A$73,000) – Royal Challengers Bangalore
Lauren Cheatle: 30 lakh (A$55,000) – Gujarat Giants
Sophie Molineux: 30 lakh (A$55,000) – Royal Challengers Bangalore
Unsold: Alana King, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Kim Garth, Naomi Stalenberg, Nicola Hancock, Millicent Illingworth
Aussies retained at the WPL
Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (A$577,000), Beth Mooney (A$361,000)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Ellyse Perry (A$306,000)
UP Warriorz: Tahlia McGrath (A$252,000), Grace Harris (A$135,000), Alyssa Healy (A$126,000)
Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning (A$199,000), Jess Jonassen (A$90,000), Laura Harris (A$81,000)
Mumbai Indians: Nil