Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales join England’s unwanted list at IPL auction

One-day captain and opener remain unsold at second day

Mark Wood and Sam Billings both signed by Chennai Super Kings


Eoin Morgan




One-day captain Eoin Morgan was one of 16 English qualified players not picked up in the IPL auction.
Photograph: Ellen Smith/EPA

Joe Root and Eoin Morgan will miss the 2018 Indian Premier League after both were unsold during the tournament’s auction.

A total of 24 English players entered the two-day auction, held in Bangalore over the weekend, but England’s Test and limited-overs captains, respectively, were two of 16 English qualified players not picked up. Eight will play in 2018’s IPL, matching the number of England players present in 2017.

Root entered the auction for the first time hoping for a consistent run of Twenty20 matches to ensure he “didn’t get left behind” given the evolution of white-ball cricket. He did not play a single domestic T20 match for Yorkshire in 2017 and will rest for England’s T20 tri-series with Australia and New Zealand which starts on 7 February. Root and South Africa’s Hashim Amla were the two “marquee” players to miss out. Despite Morgan’s work improving England’s white-ball teams and his previous IPL experience, he had no suitors. Nor did Alex Hales, who is ranked as the eighth-best international Twenty20 batsman.

The fast bowler Mark Wood, signed by Chennai Super Kings on Sunday along with Sam Billings, was shocked at the number of English omissions. Only five of the squad who have beaten Australia 4-1 in the ODI series secured deals. There was a change of fortunes for Tymal Mills, too, who was ignored having been the second most expensive pick last year at £1.4m.

“I am surprised about Root, as with Morgan, Alex Hales and Pudsy [Liam Plunkett],” Wood said. “Pudsy took the most wickets last year [in ODIs] and Root is world class in any form. I am surprised but I guess I’m incredibly lucky that I’ve been picked up.

“Over the last couple of days, the banter’s been about who is going where and coming up against each other. I’m delighted to be picked up. Playing under MS Dhoni will be fantastic. I want to play. I’m not there to make up the numbers.”

Ben Stokes was the big winner, following his £1.7m deal at Pune Super Giants last year with a £1.4m one with Rajasthan Royals, where he will be joined by Jos Buttler. Sussex’s Jofra Archer, who is in the process of qualifying for England, was also bought by the Royals for £800,000.

Royal Challengers Bangalore signed Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali, while Jason Roy will play for Delhi Daredevils and Chris Jordan will return to Sunrisers Hyderabad.