Napier in IPL running

Graham Napier blasted 152 against Sussex in the Twenty20 Cup last year

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier, who is not required to join the IPL auction process as an uncapped player, has been interesting several franchises ever since he hit a staggering 152, which included 16 sixes, against Sussex in the Twenty20 Cup last summer.

Each franchise has US$2million to spend on new recruits at the auction in Goa on February 6 and there are only likely to be two players chosen per franchise out of the 110 registered overseas players at the auction.

They include leading international players like Australia’s Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait, New Zealand’s Jesse Ryder and South Africa’s JP Duminy, who are all competing for contracts with England’s players.

Despite the number of overseas players at each franchise being increased from eight to 10 from last year, places are being filled fast with the Delhi Daredevils already snapping up Australian batting star David Warner and all-rounder Andrew McDonald.

Speaking to his website, Napier revealed how he had met up with Dimitri Mascarenhas - England’s only representative in last year’s IPL - to discuss the tournament, and admitted: “I’m getting closer to finalising a deal to sign for Mumbai Indians to play in the IPL.

“Mumbai are still in the process of agreeing my release from Essex for the duration of the competition but hopefully that will all be agreed soon.”

Sajid Mahmood is hoping to earn an IPL contract when he goes up for auction on February 6

The full list of available overseas players has now been sent to the eight franchises for their consideration and they will indicate which players they may be interested in, which would also accommodate other alternatives should they miss out on their main targets.

That reduced list of possibly 30 players will be released early next week but, with several franchises having already sealed deals for their players, the number of available contracts could be down to as few as 10.

Lancashire, who could potentially lose Flintoff, James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood for the early part of the season, would be compensated with 10% of the wages from each of their players who compete in the IPL.

But they would also lose three of their key players for the early part of the season, and chief executive Jim Cumbes conceded: “It is difficult to plan without knowing who we will have and who we won’t have available.

“We were always expecting to lose Fred and Jimmy to England, but Sajid being included on the list was a bit of a surprise. Cricketers have a short career and it is hard for counties to stand in their way of a chance to earn good money.

“There is also no doubt that players will benefit from being in the same company as some of the best players in the world and, if Sajid is selected, I am sure he will benefit from the experience of playing in the IPL.”