IPL auction to unfold same time as ODI

Two players sure to fetch top dollar, Black Caps Martin Guptill and Corey Anderson (Getty)

By Rob Forsaith

Trans-Tasman rivals will become teammates on Saturday, with the Indian Premier League auction to unfold at the same time as the ODI in Wellington.

Australia will be desperate to square the three-match series after a shambolic loss to New Zealand in Auckland but thoughts of the action in Bangalore will be at the back of their minds.

Of the 14-man touring party, eight will go under the hammer as IPL franchises look to beef up their squads.

Usman Khawaja, who is yet to take part in the IPL, is expected to attract a lot of attention after his sparkling stint with Sydney Thunder.

Khawaja's reserve is approximately $A206,000 ($NZ220,674), while the bidding will start at approximately $A411,000 for Kane Richardson and Mitch Marsh.

Khawaja, Richardson, Marsh, George Bailey, John Hastings, Adam Zampa, Marcus Stoinis and Scott Boland will all be up for grabs when the auction begins at on Saturday evening.

None of the eight will match the record-breaking $3.31 million contract that was awarded to Yuvraj Singh by Delhi Daredevils in 2015; an investment of roughly $13,347 per run.

But all will have high hopes of being picked up when the three-match ODI series continues at the Cake Tin.

Players have to hand mobile phones over during matches as part of anti-corruption rules but team management will be able to keep them abreast of developments.

"A couple of years ago the Aussies were saying it was like that, they had a bat then came off and found out what they went for," NZ allrounder Corey Anderson said on Friday.

"It's probably a pretty unreal feeling.

"Whether they (NZ management) hold it back till after the game I'm not too sure. I'm sure in some way shape or form the boys will find out."

It's understood Cricket Australia won't enforce a strict rule on the squad regarding the auction, leaving it up to players as to how they want to approach a potentially awkward situation.

Shane Watson and Aaron Finch have been listed as marquee players in the IPL auction, meaning they will be amongst the first few up for sale.

Test squad members Joe Burns, Adam Voges, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird have also thrown their hats in the ring.

Hard-hitting opener Martin Guptill headlines New Zealand's list of IPL nominees, with Tim Southee, James Neesham and Grant Elliott also making themselves available.

"Whatever Gup goes for he's going to deserve it," Anderson said.

"We'll be playing while it's happening and I know Gup will have his mind on the game."

Brad Hodge and Ricky Ponting are among the Australian coaches involved in the Twenty20 league.

NZN