Eoin Morgan was the only England player bought in the IPL auction, where Kieron Pollard and Shane Bond topped the bidding.
England left-hander bought in IPL auction, Pollard and Bond top bids
Eoin Morgan was the only England player to be bought in the IPL auction on Tuesday, where Kieron Pollard and Shane Bond topped the bidding.
Only 11 of the 66 players on offer were sold to teams for the 2010 Indian Premier League, with none of the Pakistan players being taken - including big-name all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
Left-handed England international Morgan was bought by the Bangalore Royal Challengers for $220,000 and he will join international team-mate Kevin Pietersen.
Graeme Swann missed out on a big payday though as he failed to attract any bidders, as did fellow current internationals Jonathan Trott and Tim Bresnan - while Rob Key, Monty Panesar, Mark Ramprakash and Anthony McGrath were also unsold.
Availability was the major factor behind Swann, in particular, not being sold, with IPL commissioner Lalit Modi saying IPL teams wanted their players for the full tournament.
Availability
"Availability is a serious issue for all the teams," said Modi. "When players are available 100 percent of the time the teams bear that in mind and is a major part of their strategy."
England's tour of Bangladesh would reduce Swann's availability down to just three weeks or so, and means he misses out on cashing in on his continuing rise up the international bowling ranks.
West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard and New Zealand paceman Shane Bond were the biggest winners in the auction, as they both reached the maximum valuation of $750,000 (£458,000), resulting in a tie-breaker of sealed one-off bidding.
The Mumbai Indians beat off competition from Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata to sign Pollard, after coming up with the best secret bid.
Bond was banned from the first two IPLs because of his involvement with the rival ICL, but he was highly sort-after and Kolkata came out on top after the 34-year-old also reached the threshold of open bidding.
Parnell purchase
West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach was also a big target and he was signed by the Deccan Chargers for just under the maximum threshold at $720,000 (£439,000).
South Africa left-armer Wayne Parnell went to Delhi for $610,000 (£372,000), while compatriot Justin Kemp was purchased by Chennai.
It capped a memorable week for 20-year-old Parnell, who made his Test debut against England last week and has been named in the Proteas squad for the upcoming tour of India.
Parnell was the leading wicket-taker at the Champions Trophy last year and will play alongside fellow South African AB de Villiers for Delhi.
"I didn't have a particular franchise in mind," he said. "I simply wanted to get the opportunity.
"Going to India for the first time will be a huge challenge and experience and it will be very helpful that I will be touring India with the Proteas before the IPL starts."
