Morris fetches over million dollars in IPL auction

The Delhi Daredevils bought Proteas all-rounder Chris Morris. Photo: Arun Sankar K/AP

The Delhi Daredevils bought Proteas all-rounder Chris Morris. Photo: Arun Sankar K/AP

Published Feb 6, 2016

Share

Port Elizabeth - Proteas all-rounder Chris Morris will arrive at St George’s Park for Saturday’s second One-Day International against England with a broad smile after the Delhi Daredevils bought the 28-year-old for $1 044 000 (approximately R16 735 162) in this morning’s Indian Premier League auction.

Morris received the highest bid of all the South Africans in the auction – there were 18 altogether – and received 14 times his initial base price after becoming entangled in a bidding war between Pune, Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders before the Daredevils poached the Titans star.

Morris has previous experience of playing in the IPL for the now defunct teams of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, with CSK paying $625 000 for his services in 2013.

Dale Steyn’s current injury woes would have affected his rating at the auction as the South Africa’s pace spearhead attracted bids from the Royal Challengers, Pune and new franchise Rajkot, but with the latter securing his services for just $343 000 (approximately R5 498 238).

Fellow Proteas Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw have currently gone unsold at the auction.

The biggest local signing thus far has been Indian veteran all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for the same price as Morris. New franchise Rising Pune Supergiants splashed out $522 000 to bring England exile Kevin Pietersen to their squad, while England’s Wednesday night centurion Jos Buttler, who will also be playing in today’s ODI, fetched a bigger purse of $567 000.

Proteas T20 captain Faf du Plessis, who is contracted to the Rising Pune Super Giants for $597 000, admitted on Friday in the pre-game interviews that being picked up in the IPL auction can be “life-changing” and that the focus could be divided at the start of play on Saturday morning.

"I'd be lying if I say everything is on the game. You think about it. Fortunately for me I am already picked up so I will not be anxious to see about that," he said.

"It's great because this year there is England players as well. As a leadership group you try not to speak about it too much but let's not lie, the auction is life-changing for some players. For me it will be interesting to see what the England players go for because we are used to playing an IPL without them."

Independent Media

Related Topics: