IPL scouts to target Oz players from Big Bash League for Feb 2014 auction

Talent scouts from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) will reportedly be watching every game of this season's Big Bash League in Australia in order to target potential players for the major auction, which would be held next February.

The timing of the BBL, which starts on Friday and has its semi-finals just days before the mooted February 12-13 dates of the auction, is perfect for Australia's Twenty20 stars.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, David Warner, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson are set to be the most sought-after Australians by IPL franchises, if they are released by their current teams, and certain reports suggested that James Faulkner will also attract attention from the IPL franchises.

A director of an IPL franchise said that although Indian players are likely to fetch the highest prices, however, Warner, Johnson and Watson all had the qualities that are likely to result in franchises writing one million dollar-plus pay cheques, adding that at that price, cricketers who are definite first XI players and match-winners are needed.

The director further said that of some of the less established names, a player like Moises Henriques, who was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for 300,000 US dollars, has the ability to rise up the charts, while interest would also increase for Steve Smith.

The report mentioned that while auctions are held annually in the IPL, the 2014 edition holds extra importance as almost every player in the competition is thrown back into the market.