Mitchell Starc’s decision to make himself available for the IPL for the first time in several years has paid off big time with the Australian star fetching a record $4.4 million deal from Kolkata Knight Riders.
The huge salary eclipsed the record set earlier in the auction when Sunrisers Hyderabad landed Australian captain Pat Cummins for a record-breaking $3.6 million after earlier snaring Travis Head for a seven-figure sum as well.
Rising quick Spencer Johnson also joined the instant millionaires club with Gujarat signing him for $1.8m.
The fee means he will bank an incredible fee per delivery of a shade over $13,000 if he bowls his full complement of overs in all 14 matches for his team.
Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians traded bids early on for Starc before Gujarat Titans got in on the action but KKR were not to be denied and ensured Starc’s return to the IPL after eight years of bypassing the tournament to concentrate on Australian duties will be a highly lucrative stint.
Earlier, Sunrisers competed with Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore for Cummins.
The bidding for Cummins, who sat out the IPL last year, went back and forth until Sunrisers and RCB took it past the $3m mark before the Hyderabad franchise won out, making the 30-year-old the most expensive player in the history of the IPL. It was more than 10 times his base price of around $350,000.
Surprisingly, Josh Hazlewood, arguably Australia’s best T20 bowler, was not taken by any of the franchises when his name was put up for bids in the same round as Starc. Jhye Richardson, on the comeback trail from injury, went for $890,000 to Delhi.
Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner ($180,000 to Lucknow) was the only other Australian player taken on auction night.
Head was rewarded for his match-winning efforts in India at the World Cup by going for $1.2 million after SRH and Chennai Super Kings entered into a bidding war, driving up his price to more than triple his base price entering the auction.
It’s been a remarkable year for Head, who was recently appointed a vice-captain in the Australian Test team.
Pat Cummins. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Head helped power Australia to the 50-over World Cup title in India, smashing a classic 137 in Sunday’s final to propel Australia to their sixth ODI World Cup crown.
The South Australian missed the first half of the tournament with a fractured hand but exploded with a century in his first game against New Zealand.
In Head’s six matches, he scored 329 runs at 54.83, standing up when it mattered most to be named player of the match in Australia’s semi-final and final victories.
Australian teammate Steve Smith was also in the first set of players up for bids at the auction, with a base price of around $350,000, but there were no takers for his services. Josh Inglis was also passed in after his initial bidding process. Lance Morris, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar and Matt Short were among the other Australians who nominated but did not get picked up.
England rising star Harry Brook was scooped up by the Deccan Chargers for $700,000 after they outbid Rajasthan Royals.
CSK made up for the disappoinment on missing out on Head’s signature by landing Kiwi young gun Rachin Ravindra for only $320,000.
Kiwi batter Daryl Mitchell earned a tidy $2.5m from Chennai, Proteas quick Gerald Coetzee was snapped up by Mumbai for $900,000 and Punjab Kings XI grabbed Indian seamer Harshal Patel for $2.1m.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It was strange though that Inglis didn't use Agar's last over against Jordan. Agar was totally in control against the hitters and Jordan was loving the pace. The Scorchers' chase was so cool and unpanicked. Great cricket.
nics
Roar Rookie
Jeff – that is not what I said at all. Go ahead – find a single quote where I endorse “using mental health as a means of taking cheap SM shots”. What I am saying is you went off-piste at Ben well before he even raised the issue of mental health (which is something you materially fail to grasp). Furthermore, your maintenance of a position that club cricket, state cricket and international cricket are equally as intense as each other is worthy of the Don. It is a rubbish argument especially when you somehow equivocate Green travelling Australia for Shield games with an international team travelling outside the country. That is a bs analysis for someone who has travelled and seen the world.
matth
Roar Guru
It’s a heck of a bowling attack
matth
Roar Guru
Yep. If they kill tests it will hurt the IPL as well
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The real reason they are getting the big bucks despite Cummins being a failure with the ball in the IPL recently is Cummins batting in the IPL previous two seasons. Two seasons ago he was one of the best batters average 30 and striker rate over 160. the last season he played he scored one of the fastest 50 ever even though poor average that strike rate 260.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Spencer Johnson bowled that one incredible spell in the hundred 3-1 . Others missed out and some get more playing in the Big Bash which is shorter.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
But, clearly life is not that for you Have you ever engaged on a thread on this site that never ended up in you denigrating others as your go-to response? Your comments history shows you haven't, but maybe you have some other commentary you can point to?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I find your doubling down of support of using mental health as a means of taking cheap SM shots, rather abhorrent. Disgusting even. But I'm coming to realise you don't see things in any different way. -- Yes, your analysis on that particular matter was BS. On what basis you are conflating an attack on one's mental health, with a response to another parties' viewpoint, I have no idea.
nics
Roar Rookie
Jeff: In this universe, Ben’s original post to which you responded with your diatribe was “Green is clearly a better offspinner than Lyon.” Notably absent is any reference to your mental health. Does being subsequently asked, after your epic rant, about your mental health give you carte blanche to lash out and proceed down a rabbit hole? To put things in your words “that’s a bs analysis”. I’m pretty fine with my commentary approach – after all, I haven’t been reported or asked to apologise by multiple people thus far. I find a civil approach helps.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
OMG, I'M the one that kept digging? I said to Ben he was just keeping on tripling down, going at me for mental health issues as his go to reply. And you say it was me that kept digging? What alternative universe are you existing in nics? Genuine question. Maybe take a step back and look at your own commentary approach?
nics
Roar Rookie
Jeff – What’s lazy about citing your words? I might take what you say seriously when you read people actually say rather than interpret everything as a slight against Green. I gave you five reasons yesterday for my opinion. Did you not say “that analysis is BS” in response to my point about the difference in intensity between club, state and test cricket, before going on a tangent re flying around the country for WA? That’s before we get to the crux of the matter – you absolutely misread Ben’s comment and kept digging. Did Don hack your account?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Lazy commentary nics. Try to do better. I mean really, try to do better.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
It isn’t – Yes it is. Ben repeatedly had a go at me re what he considered to be my mental health issues, and you make a comment that is me that doesn’t have the dignity to apologise? I mean, are you for real?
nics
Roar Rookie
Well Ed, apparently the basic proposition that international cricket is more intense than first class or club cricket was objectionable to Jeff, and flying around Australia for WA is the same as flying internationally... All because apparently Green was insulted so that tells you all you need to know.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
In tests he has a 22.85 bowling average. In T20’s , it is 24.54. These averages don’t always tell the whole truth of course? Yet , Thrown into a captaincy role as a bowler, he’s proved himself time & again . He’s also often played a vital role with the bat & is a good fielder . Despite all the neigh sayers, he’s a good player. Not sure he’s worth the very big bucks , or that Stark is? Yet , they often pay crazy amounts in the IPL.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
That's absurd. T20 is an entirely different game to test cricket. Saying someone is good as test cricket doesn't mean they are going to be good at T20 and vice versa. By your logic Alastair Cook would deserve a bigger IPL contact than, say, Chris Lynn because Cook has played test cricket. Or Bryce McGain should get a bigger contact over Adam Zampa. Johnson's opinion of his talent will always be conditional on the market and selectors. He can think what he wants.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
They do. But it's still a needs based game.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
It isn't. And you still don't have the dignity to apologise to Ben
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
Pitchers don't play anywhere near the full season. If a good pitcher plays 60 games it's a miracle
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate. I know that, but it's still fun. But, clearly life is not that for you