The inaugural Women’s Premier League auction has finally arrived.
The highly anticipated T20 tournament kicks off in India next month, 15 years after the first men’s edition, with five teams competing in the 22-match competition at two venues in Mumbai.
Each team is allowed to sign up to six international players, and each Australia T20 World Cup squad will be put to the hammer in an auction on Monday night (8pm AEST)
The likes of Elise Perry and Alyssa Hailey are expected to earn huge earnings. We will have regular updates here!
Watch live on Fox Cricket 501 or stream on Kayo!
The highest bid of the evening so far went to Indian batsman Smriti Mandhana, who was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹3.4 crore, roughly A$593,000.
Soon after, the Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was sold to the Mumbai Indians for ₹1.8 crore, roughly A$313,200.
Aussie sale
Ash Gardner – Gujarat Giants for 3.2 crores ($556,800)
Elise Perry – Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹1.7 crore (AU$295,800)
The Elephant in the Room at the World Cup
Australia’s Ash Gardner, who is currently in South Africa with the T20 World Cup squad, admitted an auction was on her mind, but assured reporters the defending champions would not be distracted as they sought a third successive title.
“Honestly, I tried not to think about it, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t,” Gardner said.
“I actually had a dream about it last night, which is very sad but (also) very funny but that’s what I was thinking, unfortunately.
“It’s a huge moment for women’s cricket and to see the money that has been put into women’s cricket in India to finally make such a global impact, and to give players involved the chance to play in that competition, is huge to bring home.
“For me, it’s definitely not about the financial side of things, it’s the ability to go out there and challenge myself in different circumstances…but my focus right now is on the World Cup and playing for my country.
“(The auction) is kind of an elephant in the room for a lot of teams and we’re trying to keep our focus very hard on this World Cup.”
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What time is the auction?
The inaugural WPL auction is scheduled to begin at the Jio World Convention Center of the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai on Monday, February 13 at 2.30pm local time, or 8pm EST.
How do you watch the auction?
The WPL auction will be broadcast live on Fox Cricket (channel 501) and the Kayo streaming platform.
How many players support the auction?
There are 409 players, cut from the 1,525 cricketers who put themselves forward last month, who will go under the hammer on Monday, including 163 overseas players.
However, there are only 30 sites available for foreign cricketers across the competition this season, with each team allowed a maximum of six international players.
The maximum salary for each of the five teams is ₹12 crore (AU$2.1 million) for teams of 15 to 18 players. You can see a full list of cricketers up for auction here.
Who are the AUSSIE players in the auction?
28 Australians will go up for auction on Monday evening, including the entire T20 World Cup squad.
Gardner, Meg Lanning, Alyssa Healy, Elise Perry, Jess Jonassen and Darcy Brown are among the 24 players who have chosen the highest base or lowest price of 50 lakh (AU$87,000), along with New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and England’s Sophie Ecclestone.
But those prices can skyrocket in the event of a bidding war.
Base price 50 lakh (87,000 Australian dollars): Meg Lanning, Ashley Gardner, Elise Perry, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Darcy Brown
Base price 40 lakh (70 thousand Australian dollars): Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Amanda-Jade Wellington
Base price 30 lakh (52,000 AUD): Annabelle Sutherland, Elise Villani, Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Sarah Koity, Hannah Darlington, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Stella Campbell, Lauren Chettle, Holly Ferling, Anisu Mushangwe [A Zimbabwean playing in Australia]
Base price 10 lakh (17,500 AUD): Laura Harris, Tess Flintoff
Upcoming IPL Auction Won’t Distract Australia | 00:58
