Australia’s Hopes, England's Mascarenhas join IPL

NEW DELHI—Australian all-rounder James Hopes and Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul Haq led the list of 14 players signed up to play in a second 'auction' for the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday.
Dmitri Masceranhas became the first England player to join the IPL after attracting a bid of $100,000, double the basic price set for the second and final phase of bidding for the Twenty20 league which was held in Mumbai. England players were absent from last month's initial multi-million dollar auction, where 75 cricketers, including many household names, were picked by the eight franchises.
However, the 30-year-old Hampshire all rounder was able to sign up because he was not centrally contracted with the England board, an IPL official said.
Australia's Hopes walked away with the highest bid of the day after he was snapped up for $300,000 by Mohali.
Misbah was bid for $125,000 to play for Bangalore, owned by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya. The team also picked New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor for $100,000.
The team owners, ranging from India's premier industrialists to a leading Bollywood actor, completed their signings ahead of the deadline for submitting teams, 30 days before the 44-day tournament kicks off on April 18.
Tuesday's auction was a scaled-down version of the initial phase when Indian limited overs captain Mahendra Dhoni and Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds attracted the highest bids of $1.5 million and $1.3m respectively.
Pakistan's premier batsman Mohammad Yousuf did not find takers but will get a retainership being paid for all contracted players with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
South African batsman Ashwell Prince was bid for $175,000 to play for Mumbai while Mohali coughed up $150,000 to get New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Mills.
Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait, one of 12 other players who had shown interest in the league, was not considered because his offer came in too late, organisers said.
Talented Australian all-rounder Watson, who has endured a stop-start career after struggling with injuries, was secured for $125,000 by the Jaipur team, who will be captained by retired Australian spinner Shane Warne.
All but two players from India's under-19 World Cup winning squad found takers, paying a fixed player fee of $30,000, with the franchises allowed to choose them on an NBA-style 'draft' format.—Agencies