Cricket: IPL auction proves head-scratcher

Lou Vincent. Photo / Greg Bowker

The anomalies of the Indian Premier League auction system were laid bare yesterday when Lou Vincent made the final cut of 51, yet Martin Guptill didn't.

Vincent has fallen off the radar since walking out on his New Zealand Cricket contract to take up a "rebel" Indian Cricket League contract, while Guptill has made a big impact in the short formats, recently being picked in a nominal ICC one-day team of the year.

But if that was a head-scratcher, the news that Shane Bond had made the final cut was not.

"It's nice to come down to the final stages," Bond said.

"I'm not sure who's going to be available and who's not but I just hope most of the franchises are in the market for a fast bowler."

Along with Bond and Vincent, Nathan McCullum and allrounder Grant Elliott will have an opportunity to join cricket's most lucrative circus for 2010.

It is expected that only 15 to 20 spots will be available, meaning many of the 51 will be passed over.

The IPL will be central in negotiations between New Zealand Cricket and the Players' Association as they begin talks to construct a new Master Agreement.

The two parties announced yesterday that formal negotiations were under way.

Players' Association manager Heath Mills said the negotiations came at a critical juncture for cricket.

"We are approaching this as a problem-solving exercise," Mills said.

"The cricket environment has changed significantly and we need to adapt to create a contracting environment that is in the best interests of cricket and New Zealand."

The current Master Agreement, which has been in place since June 2006, ends on July 31 and although no deadline has been set for a new one, clearly something needs to be in place on or around that date.

The agreement defines the contracting environment, competition structures and remuneration basis for professional cricketers in New Zealand, at both national and major association levels.

With the lure of the cash-rich IPL stronger than ever, there is pressure on the two parties to come up with contracts that will convince players to stay committed to international cricket, rather than to go "freelance" as many have suggested they would like to do.

Justin Vaughan, NZC chief executive, said he expected the negotiation process to be positive and collaborative.

"New Zealand Cricket has a strong relationship with the NZCPA, and we greatly respect the association's role in managing the professional game in New Zealand," he said.

"There are a number of challenges ahead with the changing nature of the game internationally."