IPL6 Auction : Dream Team
We know you cricket fans love getting your information served in elevens, so we made a team of the must have players from the auction. Some obvious, some not. But trust us, these are the men your franchise needs.Richard Levi $50,000
The hard-hitting South African opener made headlines in 2012 when he crashed 117 of 51 balls setting a new record for 6s in an International innings. That's an example of what happens when this man gets it right. A strike rate of 144.56 in domestic T20 cricket tells you what he's all about. Bargain.
Matthew Wade $200,000
This guy picks himself. Australia's test wicket-keeper. Electric behind the stumps. Powerful hitter. His base price represents his growing reputation in the game.
Ricky Ponting $400,000
Joint highest base price on the auction list. One of the all time greats, Ponting is now 38 years of age and was never known for his T20 ability. That said, he is a superstar of the sport and media coverage seems just as important as wins to the franchises of the IPL. Expect a bidding war for a showpiece player.
Michael Clarke $400,000
The Aussies are coming! The most expensive starting price on the list along with Ponting - and rightly so. The Australian captain cannot be too far from the discussion when you talk about the best player in the world - that said, Australian media reports have suggested Clarke may have been warned away from taking part in the IPL due to possible burnout ahead of the Ashes in July. Whilst his status is 'available', Clarke is sure to be the guy everyone wants.
Darren Bravo $100,000
A player who oozes class but can clear the boundary too. Bravo averages 36.09 in domestic T20 cricket and has hit his stride at the perfect time averaging 75.00 at a strike rate of 151.00 in Trinidad & Tobago's successful Caribbean T20 campaign. A low base price for a player who can match anyone on his day.
Quinton de Kock $20,000
That base price must be missing a zero, right? Wrong! Former South African U-19 captain and likely long-term successor to Mark Boucher, de Kock has drawn plaudits for his fearless batting and sharp glove-work in equal measure. A domestic T20 strike rate of 137.59 and a player who will improve every time he walks onto the pitch, all for a possible $20,000.
Johan Botha $300,000
Former South African T20 captain and the only player out of our 11 who the IPL regard as an all-rounder. Botha brings vast experience and know-how to any team he plays for. He knows where to bowl, he can play a few shots. An International T20 batting average of 18.27 coupled with 37 wickets at 22.24 make Botha a reccomended pick-up, as long as his price does not inflate too far.
Vernon Philander $100,000
The final South African on the list is the 2nd ranked test bowler in cricket according to the ICC (Dale Steyn tops the list.) That in itself tells you something of Philander's pedigree. T20 is a different game though, and his price reflects that fact. We just think that when you factor in a domestic T20 batting average of 30.31, Vernon gets close to must-have territory. If these owners have a clue what they're doing, expect big inflation here.
Jerome Taylor $50,000
One of the outcasts of West Indian cricket, Taylor's talent has never been in question. His temperament? Maybe. If his energy and pace aren't enough to convince you, maybe his domestic T20 bowling average of 19.58 will. If you're still on the fence, a base price of $50,000 should tip you over.
Ajantha Mendis $50,000
I can't tell you how many times I checked to make sure I got this price right. When I think T20 bowlers, I think Ajantha Mendis.
107 domestic T20 wickets at 15.74 and an economy rate of 6.46. Think those numbers are good? Try this.
56 International T20 wickets at 11.48 and an economy rate of 5.84.
I challenge you, find me better International figures than those. T20 is his format. Another case of the missing zero? Owners, you can't afford not to at least try and sign Ajantha Mendis.
Alister McDermott $50,000
Anyone fancy a wildcard? Young. Aggressive. Quick. Tall. Australian. 53 first class wickets at 20.54 tell the story of a bowler we would all be well advised to keep an eye on. Someone take a chance on him, he wont be this cheap next year.
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Any players we've missed that you'd like to point out? Or maybe you agree/disagree with what we've said. Let us know by posting a comment below. Don't forget to vote in our poll ---> where we're asking 'Who is going to win the IPL?'
Keep coming back as we update ahead of the IPL, The latter stages of the women's World Cup and India's upcoming series with Australia.
