Mumbai, 28th January, 2009: The Indian Premier League today announced a final list of 114 interested world cricketers for the second player auction to be held at Goa on February 6th 2009. The list comprises the cream of cricketing talent from around the cricketing world including 21 Englishmen, 27 Australians, 13 South Africans, 15 Sri Lankans and an assortment of players from across the West Indies, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
Indian and indeed IPL fans all over the world will for the first time be able to witness the best-of-the-best from England led by the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Shaun Udal, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swan and Owais Shah who have all signed up to participate in the second edition of the DLF Indian Premier League, which is set to kick off on April 10th 2009.
The 26 strong Australian contingent up for grabs at the Second Player Auction includes Australian Vice Captain – Michael Clarke, Bradd Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Stuart Clark, Bradd Hogg, Shaun Tait and Jason Krejza amongst a host of other international stars. South Africans Charles Langeveldt, J P Duminy, Andre Nel and Paul Harris will also be a part of the historic second player auction.
As per the guidelines set by the Governing Council for the DLF IPL 2009, each Franchisee will have a maximum purse of US $ 2 million, less any amount spent on signing temporary replacements from last year to select the cricketers best suited for their team’s strategies.
Speaking on the occasion Lalit Modi, Chairman & Commissioner, DLF Indian Premier League said "The enthusiasm and interest displayed by players from all around the world to participate in the second season of the league has been truly overwhelming. Clearly the DLF Indian Premier League has set new standards in helping uncover and hone some exciting new talent, that have gone on to gain international recognition, all of which augurs well for development of world cricket. We are extremely happy with the interest the league has garnered globally and look forward to the action at the second player auction in Goa."