Christmas could come early for some New Zealand cricketers in next week's IPL auction with 14 Kiwis putting their name forward for the lucrative league – including one whose addition has surprised many.
He's played little more than 30 domestic level games across all formats but Will O'Rourke is taking a chance at an IPL payday.
The nearly-two-metre-tall Canterbury paceman will be involved in next week's auction at the same time as where he could make his international debut.
The 22-year-old’s decision isn’t just on a whim though.
“I got a call from someone pretty late in the piece, had a couple of hours before the auction went off and got a call to say to put my name in the hat,” O’Rourke told 1News.
He added he wasn’t quite ready to share details about the mysterious caller.
“I don't know if they want their name said but not someone I'd spoken to before… I think maybe around a couple of [IPL] teams, but not directly involved.”
Along with O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra is the other first-timer from New Zealand to put his name forward along with others such as Tim Southee, Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell.
But unlike the other 13 who have put their names forward, O’Rourke is still very new to the scene and along with zero international experience, has played just 13 domestic T20s in red and black.
“[The call was] definitely a bit of a surprise,” he said.
“I didn't really think about putting my name in to start with, didn't really think I had too much of a chance but got the call and thought why not.”
Canterbury head coach Peter Fulton thinks the right arm pacer might have had “a wee tap on the shoulder from someone”.
“You’ve got to be in to win,” he said.
O’Rourke’s pace and 197cm stature are an attractive prospect for any team as are his recent wicket tallies which notably includes two ODIs for New Zealand 'A' against Australia 'A' this year where he seven wickets at an average of 10 runs.
“He's got the physical tools, he's six-foot-six, he's got a really big engine on him, really fit and strong for a young bowler which isn't always the case,” Fulton added.
He'll watch Tuesday’s auction while in camp with the Black Caps with a debut already potentially in the books as the first ODI against Bangladesh is on Sunday.
New Zealand cricketers in IPL auction [with reserve price]
200 lakh ($392,000): Lockie Ferguson
150 lakh ($294,000): Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Southee
100 lakh ($196,000): Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne
75 lakh ($147,000): Ish Sodhi, Finn Allen, Matt Henry
50 lakh ($98,000): Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman
20 lakh ($39,000): Will O'Rourke
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