Aussie skipper earns big pay day at WPL auction

Australia captain Sophie Molineux was the top-priced buy at the Women's Premier League auction overnight, with UP Warriorz bidding A$164,000 (R1.1 crore) to add the spinner to their squad. 

Grace Harris will join Molineux after also being taken by UP Warriorz for A$45,000 (R30 lakh). 

That's a reduced rate for Harris compared to the A$130,000 Royal Challengers Bengaluru had paid for her a year ago, with UPW's director of cricket Kshemal Waingankar describing the price as a "steal".

Australians at the WPL 2027 auction

Sophie Molineux (UP Warriorz): A$164,000 (R1.1 crore) 
Jess Jonassen (RCB): A$60,000 (R40 lakh)
Grace Harris (UP Warriorz): A$45,000 (R30 lakh)

It's a return to Warriorz for Harris who played with the club for the first three seasons of the WPL. Joninig Harris and Molineux at Warriorz will be Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield in a strong Aussie contingent in Lucknow. 

"It's good to have her back. Our first season we had her, 17 balls 51 runs needed, she won us the game, she set WPL alight," said Waingankar. 

"We were on the other end of the stick last year with her (at RCB). But she's someone we're very happy to bring back."

Waingankar added the club was desperate to secure Australia captain Molineux "at any cost".

"Grace brings power to the middle order, Sophie Molineux obviously leadership qualities, an exceptional bowler and fantastic with the team in general," Waingankar said.

"Our thought was her and Sophie Ecclestone together would be a lethal force, and with Grace we have the option of switching and seeing how things work."

Jess Jonassen has been ruled out of Weber WBBL|12 with a hip issue, however that did not stop reigning champions RCB from snapping up the veteran Queenslander for her base price of A$60,000 (R40 lakh), where she will joins Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry.

Although Molineux had the highest price at the auction, she sits behind fellow Aussies Ash Gardner (A$475k), Annabel Sutherland (A$300k), Beth Mooney (A$300k) and Perry (A$250k) who were all retained by their sides.

The WPL will start on January 14 and conclude early in February, but the Aussies will have all eyes focused on WBBL|12 first, which begins today with a double-header at Junction Oval.

Aussies in WPL 2027

UP Warriorz: Meg Lanning (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Grace Harris
Delhi Capitals: Annabel Sutherland, Lucy Hamilton
Mumbai Indians: Nicola Carey
Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth
RCB: Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen