How the heck did Morris fetch that price?!
That Shane Watson sold for around two million US dollars in the Indian Premier League auction came as a bit of a surprise, but not nearly as much of a shock as the sale of South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris.
The former Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals man sold for Rs 7 Crore, a touch over a million US dollars, and the same price as India superstar Yuvraj Singh. Morris was the third-highest sale of the auction, which astonished all watchers.
#IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/o1LjpBH6rO
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 6, 2016
Twitter was ablaze with ridicule, with cricket bloggers and pundits finding the sale hilarious, especially in light of the fact that the sale was double the price of T20 star batsman Kevin Pietersen. In fact, only AB de Villiers has ever fetched a higher price for a Saffer.
Every auction has one irrational pay day. Think Chris Morris today…..
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 6, 2016
So why did Morris make so much bank (as the kids say)? He's good, sure, but he's not THAT good. Is he? And if we think back to when he was sold to Chennai a few years ago, his price was abnormally high too, at around 625,000 dollars.
At the time, he commented on the pay day: "I have never in my life seen this much money." And that was when it translated to R 5.5 million. One can only imagine his real reaction when he realised he'd just earned around R17 Million.
Unbelievably grateful! Very excited to be part of @DelhiDaredevils #humbled
— Chris Morris (@Tipo_Morris) February 6, 2016
Morris is not even a regular starter for the Proteas, in any format. He's played two Tests, making his debut this past month, nine ODIs, and just four T20s. His ODI batting average is under 9, he's not scored a T20i run, and goes for more than 8 to the over with the ball.
But what of his efforts for Chennai and Rajasthan? Perhaps that was the deciding factor. Or perhaps his enthusiastic Tweeting during the tournament over the years endeared him to IPL bosses?
He's played 27 IPL matches, scoring 90 runs at an average of 22.5 and a top score of 34. With the ball, he's taken 28 wickets, at an average just under 29, and an economy rate of 7.7. Again, not dire, but not Dwayne Bravo.
It's even more baffling when you look at the players who went unsold (in the first round, at least). Players who have incredible track records in the format, and at the IPL. Martin Guptill, Mahela Jayawardene, Mike Hussey (WTF, right?!), Usman Khawaja. Khawaja! Literally the most in-form batsman in the world and the best player in the BBL this year.
One should also look at who bought him. Delhi went on the most bizarre spending spree, baffling everyone even further when they paid 8.5 crore, the second highest bid of the day, for all-rounder Pawan Negi. Uncapped, averages 26 with the ball in T20s and 19 with the bat. Speculation online was rife that the Daredevils' bidders must have mistakenly ingested narcotics.
Dear Delhi Daredevils any opening in your company please let me know I will join immediately nobody will pay like you.. ??
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 6, 2016
Look, again, Morris is not rubbish. He's quite good. The word you're probably going to use most to describe him is 'handy'. Is he worth double what KP and Dale Steyn sold for? The same as Yuvraj? Probably not.
Lindsay du Plessis
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.