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Black Caps fast bowler Shane Bond - Source: Photosport -
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Black Caps' premier fast bowler Shane Bond has been sold to the
Kolkata Knight Riders for an undisclosed amount after a frantic
bidding war.
It was fascinating to watch the live auction unfold on
Cricinfo.com, as Bond's base price of $100,000 quickly shot up to
the maximum bid of $US750,000.
Chennai Super Kings and the Deccan Chargers bid furiously for the
Kiwi quick and the pace of the auction was lightning before the
$750,000 mark was reached.
At that stage the process went into what's called a "silent
tiebreaker" between the vying teams, Chennai, Deccan and late
entries Kolkata.
Under the silent tiebreaker, the remaining teams that are still
bidding, can submit bids to any amount they wish.
The final sum which Kolkata paid, which is kept undisclosed, goes
to the IPL and not Bond.
The other New Zealanders in the auction were Grant Elliot, Lou
Vincent and Nathan McCullum.
Elliot was called up at his base price of $100,000 but no one was
keen on the Black Caps all-rounder. Vincent and McCullum were not
called up.
Delhi Daredevils also spent up large on South African all-rounder
Wayne Parnell, going slug-for-slug with Decan Charges for his
services. He eventually went for a hefty $610,000.
In something of a surprise Pakistani blaster Shahid Afridi went
unsold, along with Brad Haddin and Graeme Swann while West Indies'
Kieron Pollard went to Mumbai for an unspecified sum after the
bidding reached the maximum of $US750,000 and entered the silent
tiebreaker.
IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said that the bids for Bond and Pollard
would stay confidential and only the buying franchise and himself
would be in the know for the time being.
Knight Riders co-owner Jai Mehta said that they were well aware
about Bond's injuries but he is not going to be playing Test
cricket and they understand he is in good shape.
Former Australian international Damien Martyn went under the hammer
at his base price of $100,000 and Rajasthan said "Yes,
please."
Kemar Roach, who had a solid recent tour of Australia with the West
Indies, attracted plenty of interest eventually going to Deccan for
$720,000.
There was a whole host of other notable players who failed to prick
the interests and wallets of the eight teams. Bangladesh spin
maestro Shakib Al Hasan failed to make the cut as did Australian
fast bowler Doug Bollinger.
The third IPL auction saw 66 players hoping to be signed by one of
the eight franchises, with only 13 berths up for grabs.
The IPL begins on March 12 with the Chargers taking on the Knight
Riders.
