As Australia's cricketers prepare for the third Test starting Wednesday, all-rounder Cameron Green faces a potential late-night distraction with his name set to feature in the lucrative Indian Premier League auction in Abu Dhabi.
Multi-Million Dollar Sleep Interruption
The auction begins at 0130 Adelaide time on Tuesday night, placing Green and three of his Test squad teammates in an unusual position on the eve of a crucial match. Green is expected to be the third player bid on and could command a staggering 18 crore rupees (just under A$3 million), the maximum possible for a foreign player under new IPL regulations.
While this figure falls short of compatriot Mitchell Starc's record A$4 million deal secured last year, it would represent a massive payday for the West Australian. Green has already proven his worth in the tournament, scoring 452 runs at an average of 50.22 with a blistering strike rate of 160.28 for the Mumbai Indians in the 2023 season.
Auction Dynamics and Australian Hopes
With all-rounders in high demand, franchises like the Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings are tipped to engage in a fierce bidding war for Green's services. His ability to contribute significantly with both bat and ball makes him one of the most sought-after players in the auction pool.
Green is not alone in facing this split focus. English Test players Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, and Josh Tongue are also in the auction, alongside Gus Atkinson, whom Tongue replaced in the squad for Adelaide. For the Australians, 19 players have made the final shortlist, but with only 31 overseas slots available across all teams and 110 foreign players listed, disappointment awaits many.
Retained Stars and Those Up For Grabs
Several top Australian names are already secure, having been retained by their franchises ahead of the auction. This group includes Test captain Pat Cummins and batsman Travis Head (both Sunrisers Hyderabad), along with the injured Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals).
The Australians entering the auction, listed in the order they will be offered, are:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Cameron Green
- Spencer Johnson
- Steve Smith
- Sean Abbott
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Daniel Sams
- Matt Short
- Josh Inglis
- Ben McDermott
- Cooper Connolly
- Will Sutherland
- Beau Webster
- Riley Meredith
- Jhye Richardson
- Jason Behrendorff
- Wes Agar
- Billy Stanlake
- Jack Edwards
While the financial rewards are immense, the timing presents a unique mental challenge for the players involved. Balancing focus on an ongoing Test series with the life-changing potential of an IPL contract will test the professionalism of Green and his teammates as they aim for both national glory and personal fortune.
