Having learnt from 2008,teams look for smart buys

Aussie Aaron Bird and Protea Morne van Wyk might not be household names in India as yet...

Aussie Aaron Bird and Protea Morne van Wyk might not be household names in India as yet,but,with the second edition of the Indian Premier League approaching,the duo could soon get acquainted with the limelight.

While most of the hype in the build-up to the second auction has been around Kevin Pietersen,Andrew Flintoff and Michael Clarke,their unavailability for the entire event could make the likes of Bird and van Wyk cheaper and smarter buys on February 6. Last year as well,while uncapped Shaun Marsh did the trick for Kings XI Punjab,it was an out-of-favour Shane Watson who did the star turn for champions Rajasthan Royals.

Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya says teams interested in uncapped players have already picked them up. Delhi Daredevils have been busy on that front,having signed up both David Warner and Dirk Nannes, he points out.

Aussie domination

Australia may no longer be the top dog in world cricket but their players still generate maximum interest among the teams. The list of players for the auction is dominated by the men from Down Under with 15 in the hat. And even though proven performers at the international level such as Englands Paul Collingwood and Ravi Bopara may have a six-figure base price,teams could do well to settle for the likes of Australian Michael Dighton,who has proved his mettle in T20. Hard-hitting West Indians,Andre Fletcher and Kieron Pollard,who made quite an impression during the Stanford Series,could be the impact players that most teams look for. Then there is JP Duminy,who is expected to be the cynosure of all eyes during the auction.

Among the bowlers,the focus is likely to be more on death-over specialists such as Kiwi Mark Gillespie or Tyron Henderson. The Blacksmith,as Henderson is popularly known,bludgeoned Middlesex into the final,before displaying nerves of steel,containing Justin Kemp in the last over. Victorian Shane Harwood also had an impressive domestic season. However,it will be his compatriot Shaun Tait who most teams would love to employ.

Last year,the team who were smarter in the auction and went for utility players had the final hurrah. It could end up being the precedent to be followed this time around.