Flintoff, Pietersen sold at record price

England's star duo of Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen broke the Indian Premier League record for the highest-paid player after they were sold for US $ 1.55 million each in the players's auction for the second season held in Goa Friday.

All-rounder Flintoff was purchased by Chennai Super Kings, while England former captain Pietersen, as expected, was snapped up Vijay Mallya-owned Bangalore Royal Challengers.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni the previous record at $1.5 million that Chennai paid for him last year.

Pietersen's bid started at $1.35 million, while Flintoff's base price was $950,000 and the duo would no doubt be rejoicing in the Caribbean after getting such a high signing amount.

Amongst the other players sold was South Africa's rising star Jean Paul Duminy who was purchased by Mumbai Indians a whopping $ 950,000 after starting with a base price of $300,000.

Australia bowler Shaun Tait bought by IPL champions Rajasthan Royals for $ 375,000 to replace Sohail Tanvir, who emerged as the highest-wicket last year.

Only four players were sold in the first round of the auction and 13 players now remain in the fray.

Source: http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/feb/06ipl-players-auction-flintoff-pietersen-record.htm

112 players up for grabs in IPL auction

The IPL has released a list of 112 overseas players who will be up for grabs when the second auction takes place in Goa on February 6. Each franchise has a maximum of US$2m to spend on their overseas signings in the auction. But only a maximum of 2 players per franchise which amounts to 16 in total are expected to be picked up out of the 112 players available. Kevin Pietersen will be the cynosure of all eyes as he is expected to garner bids which start in the range of US$1.3 million.

"We are extremely happy with the interest the league has garnered globally," said Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, "and look forward to the action at the second player auction in Goa."

Australia have 27 players in the list while England come in second with 21 players available for selection.

List of players for second auction

Australia: Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Michael Clarke, Brad Hogg, Stuart Clark, Beau Casson, Mark Cameron, Peter Forrest, Lee Carseldine, Doug Bollinger, Michael Dighton, Nathan Reardon, Jason Krejza, Chris Hartley, Shaun Tait, Ashley Noffke, Bryce McGain, George Bailey, Travis Birt, Michael Hill, Chris Swan, Michael Klinger, Ben Edmondson, Aiden Blizzard, Mark Cosgrove, Adam Voges, Shane Harwood

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Rajin Saleh, Ziaur Rehman, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Raqibul Hasan, Nadif Chowdhury

England: Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Ravi Bopara, Monty Panesar, Robert Key, James Foster, Sajid Mahmood, Matt Prior, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah, Darren Gough, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright, James Anderson, Ed Joyce, Dominic Cork

New Zealand: Mark Gillespie, Tim Southee, Jesse Ryder, Jeetan Patel, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin, Jamie How, Peter Fulton, James Franklin

Pakistan: Asim Kamal, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Danish Kaneria, Yasir Arafat

Sri Lanka: Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Mahela Udawatte, Dammika Prasad, Thilina Kandamby, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Jehan Mubarak, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Malinga Bandara, Malinda Warnapura, Michael Vandort, Prasanna Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Jeevantha Kulatunga

South Africa: Gulam Bodi, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Ashwell Prince, JP Duminy, Martin van Jaarsveld, Roelof van der Merwe, Andre Nel, Neil McKenzie, Yusuf Abdullah, Paul Harris, Johan Botha, Morne van Wyk, Tyron Henderson

West Indies: Sylvester Joseph, Darren Sammy, Andre Fletcher, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Fidel Edwards, Dwayne Smith, Kemar Roach

Zimbabwe: Vusi Sibanda

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