WPL Auction - Overseas: Danni Wyatt or Chamari Athapaththu?

With the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 expected to take place in Ferbruary next year, it’s time for the auction in Mumbai on Saturday (December 9).

According to the BCCI's list there are a total of 165 registered players comprising 104 Indian players and 61 overseas. Taking all the five teams under consideration, there are a total of 30 spots - only nine are for the overseas players. 21 overseas players were retained by the franchises and ten were released.

An additional purse of 1.5 cr has been added to each franchise ahead of the auction. Gujarat Titans top the five franchises with an auction purse of ₹5.95 crores for December 9. Unsurprisingly, defending champions Mumbai Indians have the least amount in the bag with ₹2.1 crores in their kitty.

There were so many commendable performances throughout the year from overseas stars and franchises will be eyeing them depending on where they fit in their squad.

Women’s CricZone takes a look at some of the overseas players who might attract some hefty salaries at the second auction of WPL.

Danni Wyatt (England)

Base price: 30 Lakhs

England opener Danni Wyatt has set a base price of  ₹30 lakhs for the auction. The right hander also opted out of the ninth edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) citing fatigue to prepare for the hectic season.

Wyatt had her 150th T20I appearance during the first T20I between India and England in the ongoing series in Mumbai. She is the first woman cricketer from her country to achieve this milestone. She celebrated the occasion with a fantastic half-century that eventually sawa England win the match.

With years of experience, Wyatt is now aware of her game and its strengths. Her recent performance at the Wankhade right just before the WPL auction may have turned teams’ attention towards her once again.

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

Base Price: 30 Lakhs

Chamari Athapaththu is known for her hitting ability with the bat and wiley off spin. On form, she is one of the biggest match winners in the game. And the Sri Lankan captain is in some form. She was the player of the tournament in the WBBL09 with 552 runs and nine wickets to her name.

The southpaw has also been in brilliant form for Sri Lanka as well where she helped them register some important wins against New Zealand and England. The teams would definitely want the allrounder for her recent records. It remains to be seen where she will fit in the scheme of things for various teams, but she could go big at the auction if multiple teams are interested in her.

Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia)

Base price: 30 Lakhs

Amanda-Jade Wellington was the player of the match in the WBBL09 final as Adelaide Strikers defended their title. The leg spinner has always been one of the best bowlers in the competition and has been instrumental for Strikers over the years.

Wellington has been in and around the Australian selection although she is not able to break into the squad. She played a key role for Southern Brave in The Hundred as well before moving to Manchester Originals for this season. With Strikers’ head coach taking up the same role at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the wiley spinner might find a place in the WPL finally.

Amy Jones (England)

Base price: 40 Lakhs

Amy Jones is one of the four players in the auction who has fixed her base price at ₹40 Lakhs.

Jones is one of the best wicket-keepers in the world and has been the first choice for England for some time. Her ability to hit big at the back end of the innings might come in handy for some of the teams in the WPL. In recent times, she has played some important knocks for Perth Scorchers in WBBL09 and England down the order.

Georgia Wareham (Australia)

Base price: 40 Lakhs

Georgia Wareham is an Australia regular and has been part of the side that won the T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. The leg spinner played for Gujarat Giants in the inaugural edition of the WPL and was released ahead of the auction.

Wareham plays for Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL and was also part of the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. In recent times, she has improved her hitting ability and played some terrific knocks for Australia in the Ashes and Renegades in WBBL09. If teams are looking for a leggie who also can go big in the death overs, Wareham could be the go to player at the auction.

Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

Base price: 40 Lakhs

Shabnim Ismail already had the taste of the WPL when she represented UP Warriorz in the first edition. In recent times, she played a great role for the resurrection of Welsh Fire in The Hundred before heading to Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL.

The experienced fast bowler led South Africa’s bowling attack for a long time before hanging up her boots after the home T20 World Cup 2023. She is still the leading wicket taker for South Africa and her ability to bowl at all phases could see teams bidding heavily for her at the auction.

Annabel Sutherland (Australia)

Base price: 40 Lakhs.

Annabel Sutherland is the fourth and final player to set the base price at 40 lakhs. Ahead of the auction, the allrounder was released by Gujarat Giants and she will be looking for a new home or might even return to the franchise in WPL 2024.

The fast bowling allrounder has grown leaps and bounds in recent times at the international arena. Australia team management rates her so high and she could be the answer if teams are looking for a batter who can bowl pace.

Former West Indies allrounder Deandra  Dottin, Australia's Kim Garth, Ireland's Orla Prendergast and associate players like Kathryn Bryce and Tara Norris could also be in the running for the overseas slots.