5 surprises from the Masters Champions League auction
The success of the IPL has spurred on a good movement in the world of cricket. Current players, based on their skill sets and experience, managed to find employment in cricket leagues around the world. T20 is popular amongst the crowds and that ensures that most of these leagues are not in dearth of cash or revenues.However, one category that was left out was the seniors who had retired from international cricket. But the Masters Champions League ensures even retired players have something to look forward to now. The auction was held in Dubai on Monday.The MCL comprises of six teams Capricorn Commanders, Leo Lions, Libra Legends, Gemini Arabians, Saggitarius Soldiers, Virgo Super Kings yes, the Zodiac connection is interesting. Each of these six teams picked an icon player with a base price of $100,000. Apart from the icons, there were legends, A+ category players (those with 100 international caps or more), A Category players and Associate Country players.Each of these six teams were also given two marquee players also referred to as Legends. The matches will be held in UAE in February 2016 for two weeks with each of the six teams having a squad of 15.However, the auction definitely threw up some interesting surprises for the cricket followers, especially fans of some superstar cricketers.
#1 A big number of under-40 players
If you thought that Masters Champions League would feature a list of retired players who were legends from yesteryear, think again. There are some young names too. Richard Levi who went for $152,000 is 27 years old. Robin Peterson from South Africa, active not very long ago, is 36 years old and was sold to $80,000 to Team Leo.
Sean Ervine, the 33-year-old allrounder from Zimbabwe, went to Team Libra for $60,000. Ryan McLaren, the South Africa international who missed out of a World Cup berth narrowly is only 32 years old and went to Team Capricorn for $64,000.
One of the biggest surprises is the inclusion of the 33-year-old Fidel Edwards who went to Team Leo for $90,000. Taufeeq Umar, who is only 34, went to Team Libra for only $28,000.