LPL 2023: 5 lesser-known faces that bagged big bucks at auction
The 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL) auction saw the participation of more than 350 players and among them, a few got picked up by the franchises. Big names such as Martin Guptill, Imran Tahir, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Hafeez, Rassie van der Dussen, and Sarfaraz Ahmed went unsold at the business event.
On the other hand, some lesser-known names who have little international experience received lucrative contracts and hit the headlines for breaking into the list of the highest-paid player category at the event. Now, after fetching hefty prices, there will be a responsibility on these players to be at their best and justify their roles in their teams.
Here are the five lesser-known faces who bagged big bucks at the LPL 2023 auction
5. Chad Bowes
Chad Bowes emerged as the most expensive overseas player at the auction, receiving a USD 58000 deal from Galle Titans. The New Zealand player is active in competitive cricket since 2011. Bowes kicked off his career in South Africa’s domestic cricket but in 2015, he moved to New Zealand to play for Canterbury.
In the T20 circuit, Bowes is one of the most successful batters as he has amassed 2484 runs with 21 fifties in 92 innings of 93 matches, at a strike rate of 137.84. After years of hard work, the right-handed batter got a chance to make his international debut in a New Zealand jersey, this year.
So far, he has played eight T20 Internationals (T20Is) for the Black Caps, in which he has scored 157 runs at a strike rate of 125.60. In the upcoming competition, the 30-year-old will look forward to displaying his batting prowess and helping Galle to have an incredible campaign.
4. Kamindu Mendis
Sri Lanka all-rounder Kamindu Mendis became one of the most expensive players at the auction as B-Love Kandy reserved his services for USD 60000. Kamindu hasn’t played a lot of international games for Sri Lanka, however, he carries a lot of domestic experience.
In domestic T20s, he has racked up 1064 runs in 46 innings of 55 games, at a strike rate of 125.02. With the ball, he has picked up 15 wickets in 38 innings at an economy of 7.72. Talking about his T20I career, the 24-year-old has played only five matches, in which he has scored 76 runs at a strike rate of 122.58.
In LPL, he has scored 88 runs in seven innings of eight matches at a strike rate of 93.61. Despite noting Kamindu’s underwhelming numbers in the league, the Kandy-based franchise splurged big money on him at the auction. For the youngster, the 2023 season will be a perfect chance to prove his all-round potential.
3. Sadeera Samarawickrama
Sadeera Samarawickrama emerged as one of the most expensive players at the LPL 2023 auction. Dambulla Aura signed up the wicketkeeper-batter for USD 68000 at the auction and made him a part of their campaign for the 2023 LPL edition. At Dambulla, his responsibility will be to prove his efficiency in the middle order.
The 27-year-old is an experienced name in Sri Lanka’s domestic circuit. In T20s, the right-handed batter has played 80 matches and piled up 2029 runs with a ton and 12 half-centuries in 77 innings, at a strike of 120.20. In national colours, he has got a chance to feature in nine T20Is thus far, in which he has accumulated 111 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 94.06.
In LPL, the Sri Lanka stalwart has played only one game, and that too, in 2021, for Galle Gladiators. This year, he has the opportunity to deliver some impactful and notable knocks to Dambulla and become an important batting figure in the league.
2. Binura Fernando
Dambull Aura have put their belief in left-arm fast bowler Binura Fernando to bolster their pace attack for the upcoming 2023 season. Binura was bought for USD 76000 by Dambulla, which made the fast bowler the third-most expensive player at the auction, along with his compatriot Dhananjaya de Silva.
In T20Is, the speedster made his debut in July 2015, and since then, he has played 12 matches for Sri Lanka in the shortest format, in which he has taken 12 wickets at an economy of 8.06. Talking about his record in the LPL, he has bagged 18 wickets in 12 games at an economy of 8.35. In Jaffna Kings’ title victory in 2022, Fernando played a key role with the ball, clinching 12 wickets in five matches at an economy of 7.10.
After spending a massive amount on Binura, the Dambulla-based franchise will keep its expectation high from the pacer to fare well in the marquee tournament. The talented pacer will play alongside international pacers such as Lungi Ngidi and Shanawaz Dahani, who could help him to strengthen the team’s pace-bowling unit.
1. Dilshan Madushanka
Dilshan Madushanka became the costliest player at the LPL 2023 auction as Jaffna Kings purchased him for USD 92000. In the previous edition, Jaffna gave him a chance to feature in just a few games but this year, the defending champions might give the pacer a chance to represent them in the entire season.
Madushanka’s record is impressive in Sri Lanka’s domestic circle.
Combining his List A and T20 numbers, he has picked up 41 wickets in 30 games. Talking about his T20I bowling numbers, the 22-year-old has grabbed 12 wickets in 11 contests at an economy of 9.80, with the best bowling innings of 3/24.
Sri Lanka supporters also remember Madushanka for his disciplined bowling against India in the 2022 Asia Cup. Playing the crucial game against the Men in Blue, the young pacer powered Sri Lanka to a six-wicket triumph, with his bowling figures of 4-0-24-3. This year, he will be one of the important players for Jaffna to defend their title.
from Cricket Appeal: The Best and Funny Appeals in Cricket History – HOWZAT!!! | CricTracker.com https://ift.tt/tAf9axY
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