Aussie cricketer Ash Gardner a huge winner in $560k pay day after T20 auction
Australian star Ash Gardner is suddenly half a million dollars richer after being on the receiving end of the second-highest bid in the inaugural Women's Premier League auction, in which 14 Aussies were picked up.
The star all-rounder will take home AU$558,000 after being bought by the Gujarat Giants for the inaugural tournament that will see five teams compete in 22 matches across two venues in Mumbai next month.
"I'm excited to have been selected by the Giants in the inaugural Women's IPL and look forward to joining the team next month," Gardner said.
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"For now my focus is on Australia at the Women's T20 World Cup and our next game."
Beth Mooney, the Player of the Tournament at the 2020 T20 World Cup, was another big winner on the night, when she was picked up for about $349,000 by the Giants, who will be coached by former Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes.
Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry. Getty
Of the other notable bids involving Australians, Ellyse Perry will join Royal Challengers Bangalore for $297,000, Tahlia McGrath will play for UP Warriorz after pocketing $244,000 and Meg Lanning the Delhi Capitals for $192,000.
India's Smriti Mandhana, attracted the highest bid of around $593,000, while Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, went for $314,000.
Aussie leg-spinner Alana King and young quick Darcie Brown went unsold along with several other high profile players.
Winning Australian bids WPL Auction
Ash Gardner – Gujarat Giants for 3.2 crore ($558,000)
Ellyse Perry – Royal Challengers Bangalore for 1.7 crore ($297,000)
Tahlia McGrath – UP Warriorz for 1.4 crore ($244,000)
Beth Mooney – Gujarat Giants for 2 crore ($349,000)
Meg Lanning – Delhi Capitals for 1.1 crore ($192,000)
Annabel Sutherland – Gujarat Giants for 70 lakh ($122,000)
Alyssa Healy – UP Warriorz for 70 lakh ($122,000)
Erin Burns – Royal Challengers Bangalore for 30 lakh ($52,000)
Heather Graham – Mumbai Indians for 30 lakh ($52,000)
Grace Harris – UP Warriorz for 75 lakh ($131,000)
Georgia Wareham – Gujarat Giants for 75 lakh ($131,000)
Laura Harris – Delhi Capitals for 45 lakh ($78,400)
Jess Jonassen – Delhi Capitals for 50 lakh ($87,000)
Megan Schutt – Royal Challengers Bangalore for 40 lakh ($69,000)
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