LPL auction brings big dollars for Lankan cricketers  

The inaugural Lanka Premier League auction took place in Colombo yesterday and was followed with keen interest and bidding for several big players was yet to start when this edition went to print yesterday. However, several Sri Lankan players, young and old earned big dollars following fierce bidding.

Middle order batsman Charith Asalanka was the biggest buy by 7pm yesterday fetching a sum of US$ 80,000. Listed at US$ 30,000, there was aggressive bidding for the former Under-19 Sri Lanka captain  with Colombo Strikers, Jaffna Kings, Dambulla Aura each trying to acquire the services of the left-hander. Eventually, he ended up at Jaffna.

Young Shevon Daniel was at a base price of US$ 5000 and Galle doubled his price before Colombo started bidding but Galle secured his services for US$ 22,000.

Binura Fernando started with US$ 30,000 but more than doubled his base price ending at 76,000 with Dambulla buying the left-arm seamer.

Sadeera Samarawickrama was the biggest earner. Starting with a price tag of US$ 20,000, his price was increased by more than 350% with Dambulla paying the wicketkeeper batsman US$ 68,000.

Leg-spinner Ashen Bandara was sold to Kandy for a sum of US$ 40,000.

There was a lot of interest for Dushmantha Chameera. He started at US$ 50,000 and although a higher price was expected for him at the end of bidding, the quick ended up only with US$ 70,000.

Dinesh Chandimal started off at a base price of US$ 40,000 and Kandy fetched him for a sum of US$ 72,000.

Colombo paid a sum of US$ 40,000 for the services of opening batsman Pathum Nissanka.

Dunith Wellalage may have been given the cold shoulder for the World Cup Qualifiers but having started at US$ 30,000, there was keen interest for the young all-rounder by three franchises and eventually he was sold to Jaffna for 56,000.

Dhananjaya de Silva has proved himself as a valuable white ball cricketer with his ability to finish off an innings and bowl off-spin. Having started at a base price of US$ 40,000 he was bought by Dambulla for US$ 76,000.

The auction is supposed to get more interesting once the big-name foreign players are in play. Although the LPL has had a couple of seasons, this is the first time an auction had been conducted.

Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram was in the audience bidding on behalf of the Kandy franchise, who have got new owners.