• No IPL contract for Steyn

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    South African fast bowler Dale Steyn was not bought in the first or second round of Tuesday’s Indian Premier League player auction in Jaipur.

    Steyn represented the Deccan Chargers, Gujarat Lions, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad in previous editions of the IPL, but failed to secure a franchise for the 2019 tournament.

    He impressed for the Cape Town Blitz in the recent Mzansi Super League.

    Proteas batsmen Reeza Hendricks and Hashim Amla were also overlooked. Hendricks struck consecutive centuries for the Jozi Stars in the recent Mzansi Super League, while Amla endured a poor stretch of form for the Durban Heat.

    While batsman Alex Hales and all-rounders Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan were ignored, fellow Englishmen Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow were purchased by the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab respectively.

    Batsmen Naman Ojha and Manoj Tiwary were among the high-profile Indians rejected, but Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga went to the Mumbai Indians again.

    ‘Malinga has made a comeback after 12 months and is performing really well. We needed a senior who could guide the young group we have. He’s an MI player who has performed for us, so it’s easier to relate with Malinga,’ said Mumbai head coach Mahela Jayawardene.

    The Kolkata Knight Riders, who are coached by erstwhile South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, bought New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson.

    Photo: Gallo

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