Waiotira's Tim Southee has made it to the top of the cricketing pile after signing up for the champion Chennai Super Kings in the lucrative IPL competition.
The Black Caps pace bowler was the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in the ODI World Cup, with 18 wickets from eight matches, and
his performance has led to some serious offers from around the globe.
Southee is understood to have been heading to Essex for the English county competition before Chennai's more attractive offer.
He has replaced injured Australian quick bowler Doug Bollinger in the series, which starts on Friday and has stayed on in India following the Black Caps' exit from the World Cup.
Bollinger was a key element in the Super Kings' winning IPL 3 last year but his injured ankle had not improved in time to play for Australia in the World Cup and he was forced to withdraw from IPL 4 - leaving an opening for Southee.
There have few details released yet about the deal but Southee is likely to earn a good payday from the rich tournament.
Players are paid different amounts decided by an annual auction with Bollinger's contract worth US$700,000. Fellow Black Cap Scott Styris commands a fee of US$200,000 in the side, similar to West Indian Dwayne Bravo while another teammate Ben Hilfenhaus will earn a relatively low US$100,000 for the short season of Twenty20 competition.
Southee has 22 wickets from 19 T20 internationals with best figures of five for 18 against Pakistan in Auckland last year.
This year's IPL season has expanded to 10 teams.
There will be 74 matches and 45 days of action.
Southee has played 13 Tests and 51 ODIs for New Zealand taking 35 and 70 wickets respectively. The pace bowler is likely to feature in the tournament opener on Friday against Kolkata Knight Riders.
