Cricket: Indian Women’s Premier League Auction

By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw

International women’s cricket is developing leaps and bounds with the first auction of women players for participation in the Indian Women’s Premier League (WPL).

The WPL is the women’s equivalent of the men’s IPL (Indian Premier League) and will run from 4 – 26 March, with a total of 22 matches.

England all-rounder, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, was sold for £320,000 and the number one world T20 bowler, Sophie Eccleston, was sold for £180,000 in the auction.

Sciver-Brunt was bought by the Mumbai Indians, who paid the joint highest price for an overseas player, whilst Australia’s all-rounder Ash Gardner was the other overseas highest paid player and she will join Gujurat Giants.

Eccleston, was bought by UP Warriorz.

Of course, comparatively speaking, there is some way to go to reach financial parity with the men in the IPL!

Only seven of the twenty-seven England players, that put themselves up for auction, made the grade.

Amongst the England players, who were not sold, were opener, Danni Wyatt, wicketkeeper, Amy Jones, and bowler, Katherine Sciver-Brunt.

Other overseas players, who went unsold, were Australia leg-spinner, Alana King, New Zealand batter, Suzie Bates, and South African right-handed batter, Laura Wolvaardt.

Incidentally, Katherine Brunt and Natalie Sciver got married in a private ceremony on 28 May 2022 and Ash Gardner lives with her partner, Bridget Patterson, an Australian national women’s team right-handed batter!

So, it is all go in women’s international cricket both on and off the pitch!

Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.’