While England allrounder Ben Stokes was sold for a stunning $A2.8 million, reborn Australian paceman Pat Cummins and former international spearhead Mitchell Johnson have also profited handsomely in the Indian Premier League auction.
Stokes, recently appointed England vice-captain, has yet to play in the sport's glamour Twenty20 league but his heavy hitting and penetrating medium pace made him a coveted signing, and he was snapped up by the Rising Pune Supergiants.
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It's likely Stokes will be paid only a part of his contract because of international commitments. The IPL begins on April 5, and England has a one-day international against Ireland in late April and then one-day series against the West Indies and South Africa before staging the Champions Trophy in June.
He could also decide to bypass the IPL entirely in favour of rest, for England have seven home Tests after the Champions Trophy.
![Mitchell Johnson remains a threat as a T20 hitman.](/web/20170221155547im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/1/l/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gugiqv.png/1487574939287.jpg)
Cummins was another player of major interest, and was eventually sold to Delhi for $875,000. Having rekindled his international career this summer in the sport's limited overs forms after major back problems, he and Cricket Australia must now decide whether it's still in his best interests to play in the IPL, beginning April 5, considering he has been earmarked for a Test recall in time for next summer's Ashes. One option could be to have a limited part in the tournament.
Johnson emerged from retirement this summer to help guide the Perth Scorchers to the Big Bash League title. He remains a major threat when required to bowl only four overs, and was sold to Mumbai for $390,000. He will be available for the entire tournament.
But there was no joy for the BBL's leading wicket-taker Sean Abbott, or the BBL's leading run scorer, Ben Dunk, who were overlooked. Fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile and Melbourne Renegades cult figure, spinner Brad Hogg, were also unsold. Australia already had 17 players contracted to franchises.
Pune, which joined the IPL last year, has made Steve Smith skipper this season and also features fellow Australians Usman Khawaja, Adam Zampa and Mitchell Marsh.
![Getting hit for six in the last over of the World Twenty20 final didn't affect Ben Stokes IPL value.](/web/20170221155547im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/1/b/i/k/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gugiqv.png/1487574939287.jpg)
England paceman Tymal Mills, who played briefly for the Brisbane Heat this summer, provided the shock of the day when he was sold to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for $2.3m.
Next year looms as the mega IPL auction, for the contracts of all players will expire, and most will go back into the auction aside from those franchises are allowed to retain.
![Taking a break: Mitchell Starc.](/web/20170221155547im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/0/u/r/s/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gugiqv.png/1487574939287.jpg)
Australian spearhead Mitchell Starc has pulled out of this year's tournament, citing a need to remain fresh for the busy year ahead.
Starc had been on a deal worth about $A973,000 with the Royal Challengers Bangalore when signed in 2014. Fellow new-ball quick Josh Hazlewood has also opted to bypass the tournament, after what has been a hectic year for Australia, including six Tests this summer.
Another busy schedule awaits, beginning with the Champions Trophy and culminating in the home Ashes series.
"It is in my best interests, both physically and mentally, for me to have a break, spend time with my family and take the opportunity to work on getting back to full fitness," Starc said.
"I certainly hope to be back playing for them (Bangalore) in the future."
On his social media account, Starc left the door open to returning to the IPL next year.
Several Australian players returned home early from last year's IPL because of injury. Starc, the world's best fast bowler, did not take part because of injury.
He had begun the summer underdone having required surgery on his left leg after a freak training accident but found his groove as the summer unfolded.
Cricket Australia allows for a break in the international schedule so players can take part in the IPL. When players point out how busy the international schedule is, some cricketing officials respond privately by questioning why they don't bypass the Twenty20 competition, sparking the country-versus-franchise debate.
In this case, Starc will use the period to rest and build fitness. While he is already one of the top three highest paid Australian players, he could easily have accepted the riches on offer in the IPL.
Australian team performance boss Pat Howard said Starc would benefit from the break.
"Mitch has had a very big summer, bowling a high number of balls, and has managed extremely well considering the less than ideal preparation," he said.
The Australians, with their listed reserve prices (A$), who were in Monday's auction were:
Mitchell Johnson (sold to Mumbai), Pat Cummins (sold to Delhi) ($390,000)
Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon ($292,000)
Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dan Christian ($195,000)
Brad Hogg, Nic Maddinson, Callum Ferguson ($97,000)
Sean Abbott, Ben Dunk, Michael Klinger, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Laughlin, Billy Stanlake, Fawad Ahmed, Michael Beer, Ben Dwarshius, Joe Burns, Sam Heazlett, Johan Botha, Ben Hilfenhaus, Alex Ross, Tom Cooper, Jack Wildermuth ($58,000)
Chris Green, Ashton Turner ($39,000)
Ben McDermott, Nick Buchanan, D'Arcy Short ($19,000)
Australians already contracted:
Kings XI Punjab: Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis
Kolkata Knight Riders: Chris Lynn
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Ben Cutting, Moises Henriques, David Warner
Rising Pune Supergiants: Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Adam Zampa
Gujarat Lions: James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, AJ Tye
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Travis Head, Shane Watson