Cricket: Boult tops NZ deals in IPL

Trent Boult. Photo NZ Herald
Trent Boult. Photo NZ Herald
New Zealand swing man Trent Boult has scooped a top contract in this year's Indian Premier League.

Left-armer Boult has been signed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for $814,000 at the IPL auction in Bangalore.

It is Boult's first dip into the Indian T20 domestic competition, and he is one of five New Zealand players who got a gig tonight.

Boult was the headline act on a night when seven of New Zealand's fast or fast-medium bowlers either got, or retained deals. There will be nine NZ players in the IPL this year.

His form has been compelling over the last two seasons so it's no surprise he was snapped up after a prolonged joust between Ricky Ponting's Mumbai Indians and Dan Vettori's Royal Challengers Bangalore.

With a shake of his head, Ponting pulled out before Hyderabad made a late swoop.

The upshot is Boult will be coached by former Australian player Tom Moody and will have his New Zealand, and Northern Districts chum, Kane Williamson with him. Williamson was signed for $128,000.

England's ODI captain Eion Morgan, former England star Kevin Pietersen, Australian opener David Warner and South African quick Dale Steyn will also be in the Hyderabad dressing room.

Allrounder Jimmy Neesham, unwanted for the World Cup, was picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for $107,000, and there was a job for new speedster Adam Milne. World Cup team mate and Bangalore coach Vettori has signed Milne for $150,000.

Another left-armer, Mitch McClenaghan, came in late and was snapped up for $64,000 by Mumbai Indians - who just happen to be coached by the outgoing New Zealand bowling coach Shane Bond. NZ captain Brendon McUllum and all rounder Corey Anderson already had contracts.

Tim Southee (Rajasthan Royals) and Matt Henry (Chennai) already had contracts for this year.

However, there was bad news for World Cup squad quartet Ross Taylor, Luke Ronchi, Grant Elliott and Nathan McCullum. All four were passed in at the auction, along with former New Zealand players Hamish Bennett and Anton Devcich and test pair Hamish Rutherford and Doug Bracewell.

They are in good company though. Among other players not picked up were batting champions Hashim Amla of South Africa, Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.

The IPL starts on April 10 and runs to May 25, by which time New Zealand will be in England on test and limited-overs duty.

The top price at the auction went for Indian veteran Yuvraj Singh, who went to the Delhi Daredevils for $3.4m.

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