Next generation stars Lance Morris and Jake Fraser-McGurk are among the 119 international players on the final short-list for the next IPL auction on December 19 and looking for a big payday.
They are among 21 Australians, including World Cup hero Travis Head, who could be set for a cash bonanza despite not having played in the T20 competition for six years, as well as Test captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who is also making a return to the Indian league.
Morris looms as an IPL wildcard with a reputation as the fastest bowler in Australian cricket and he sits on the precipice of a Test debut.
The BBL is back! Watch every match live with no ad breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
His fellow West Australian Mitch Marsh, who was retained by the Delhi Capitals for the 2024 season, said facing Morris in the nets was the first time he’d been “scared” since batting against firebrand Mitchell Johnson.
“Sometimes in the nets, bowlers feel a lot quicker than what they do in the middle and there’s obviously no adrenaline,” Marsh explained.
“But (facing Lance) was probably the first time since I faced Mitchell Johnson at training that I’ve ever actually been scared.
“I can’t admit that to Lance, of course, although if he listens to this, he probably knows now (laughs).
“He’s a super talent. His radar has come in dramatically and he’s going to be a very, very good bowler.
“Hopefully, we see him get an opportunity at some point throughout the summer.”
Morris remains part of the Australian Test squad for the three-match series against Pakistan despite missing the first match in Perth that starts on Thursday.
Fraser McGurk, who is only 21, has bolted into contention for an IPL call-up on the back of blasting the fastest ever hundred by any batter in professional one-day cricket when he powered to a 29-ball century for South Australia in October.
Having made his debut for Victoria as a 17-year-old, Fraser-McGurk moved interstate for a fresh start after his career stalled and he also opened up his Big Bash campaign by smashing 48 runs off just 28 balls for the Melbourne Renegades.
His five fours and three sixes included one that hit the roof of the grandstand at the SCG and careered out of the stadium.
But he’s vying with some of the world’s best batters for a lucrative contract, with Head expected to attract a slate of bidders on the back of his World Cup heroics, including his century in the final that broke the hearts of one billion Indian fans
The auction is being held overseas for the first time, with 333 players making the final shortlist.
AUSSIES IN THE IPL AUCTION
Travis Head, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Josh Inglis, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Wes Agar, Ben Cutting, Matt Short, Daniel Sams, Ben Dwarshius, Spencer Johnson, Riley Meredith, Lance Morris, Billy Stanlake, Jake Fraser-McGurk, William Salzmann, Jhye Richardson.
