Cricket’s Hottest Property Nearly a Millionaire
Black Cap Corey Anderson is only 23-years old and nearly a millionaire. Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians paid $866,000 for the young all-rounder, who set the cricketing world alight with the fastest one-day century in history off only 36 balls against the West Indies.
“I thought it was crazy,” Anderson told English language Indian newspaper, First Post, of watching the auction on a laptap in a Wellington hotel. “It’s pretty surreal. Watching the auction unfold, it’s hard to explain.
“It felt like a little game you might play with your mates – then you have to pinch yourself and realise that it’s real money they’re throwing around.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Anderson added. “It’s a life-changing event and pretty exciting.”
The Mumbai Indians outbid interest from the Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad for Anderson’s services, underlining the fact that the young man is perhaps the hottest new property in the short form of the game.
National captain Brendan McCullum was the next highest paid New Zealander: $627,000 to join the Chennai Superkings, while Ross Taylor, in a rich vein of form, went to the Daredevils for $390,000, where he will be able to keep an eye on Jimmy Neesham, also to Delhi.
Other Kiwis signed include spearhead medium-fast bowler Tim Southee (Rajasthan Royals) and upcoming swing bowler Matt Henry (Chennai). Former Black Cap alumni Stephen Fleming coaches the Superkings, while Daniel Vettori assumes playing/coaching responsibilities at Royal Challenger Bangalore.
