Australia allrounder Annabel Sutherland has emerged as the biggest winner at the Women's Premier League auction, where she was picked up for $364,000 by the Delhi Capitals.
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Sutherland's 200 lakh fee for the tournament, set to be played from late February to mid-March, was the equal-highest price for any of the 30 players bought from the 165 who nominated.
It continues what has been a big year for Sutherland, who made the Women's Big Bash League team of the tournament last month, starred in the home one-day international series win against West Indies and notched a maiden Test century during the Ashes.
The 22-year-old was the subject of a bidding war between the Capitals and Mumbai Indians, with the former eventually forking out big money for the quick.
She is now the second-highest paid Australian in the WPL's two-year history after fellow allrounder Ash Gardner went for more than $580,000 ahead of the inaugural tournament.
Sutherland was one of five Australians picked up in this year's WPL auction, in which nine international players were able to be selected between the five franchises.
Batter Phoebe Litchfield was the fifth-most expensive international, picked up for $182,000 by Gujarat Giants.
She will be joined at Gujarat by quick Lauren Cheatle, who has been recalled to the international side for the upcoming India tour and now has extra reason to celebrate with a $55,000 deal.
Spinners Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux were the other Australians selected, netting $73,000 and $55,000 from Royal Challengers Bangalore respectively.
Alana King, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Nicola Carey and Kim Garth were the most notable Australians to nominate for the auction but go unsold.
All four have been regulars around the international set-up in recent years.
The WBBL's newly minted player of the tournament, Sri Lanka allrounder Chamari Athapaththu, was also overlooked.
There are 30 spots for international players in the WPL but most were taken up by players retained by their franchises.
Nine Australians, including Meg Lanning, Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney and new national captain Alyssa Healy, fit into this category.
Uncapped Indian express quick Kashvee Gautam will net $364,000 after being picked up by Gujarat.
Australian Associated Press
