Kiwi fringe cricketers on IPL radar

WELLINGTON - Some of New Zealand’s anonymous domestic cricketers are likely to make it to the cash-rich Indian Premier League franchises.

Fairfax Media understands several IPL franchises have signalled an interest in signing some of New Zealand’s up-and-coming domestic stars for next April’s tournament.

Insiders suggest the franchises, who can sign up to 10 internationals to their books, will look to throw big money at four to five top internationals per team before bolstering their squads with undiscovered “fringe” players from around the world.

Central Districts all-rounder Doug Bracewell - the 20-year-old son of former Black Cap Brendon - and Auckland’s Zimbabwean-born big-hitter Colin de Grandhomme - are thought to have attracted the eye of IPL scouts despite being unproven at international level.

New Zealand’s top stars such as Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder have all featured in earlier editions of the IPL, stuff.co.nz reports.

“I reckon it would be really good for some of our domestic players,” New Zealand Cricket boss Justin Vaughan told Fairfax.

He added: “We really do struggle sometimes to bridge that gap between international cricket and domestic cricket and if we can get some of our leading first-class players getting experience in the IPL, that would be really good.

New Zealand Cricket is currently compiling a list of Kiwi cricketers who want to make themselves available for the IPL’s next player auction. (ANI)