'As soon as the final amount was confirmed Sarah asked what it was in pounds' - Mark Wood reveals wife's reaction after LSG picked him for INR 7.5 crore in IPL mega auction

English fast bowler, Mark Wood, was one of many to walk out with over a million-dollar contract at the recently concluded IPL mega auction, held in Bangalore. The Englishman who had his base price set at Rs 2 crore caused a bidding war between the Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals, with the Delhi franchise backing out eventually and the Mumbai Indians jumping in.

However, it was the Super Giants who came out triumphant in the end shelling out INR 7.50 crore for the 32-year-old. Terming it as a weird experience, Wood spoke of it being a surreal experience watching the bidding unfold. He also commented on what the reactions were like in his family watching it on the television.

“As soon as the final amount was confirmed Sarah asked what it was in pounds I might have to freeze all our accounts so it doesn’t disappear,” Wood said to ‘The Guardian’. “But we’re delighted. It’s a weird experience. It feels like a computer game almost not real, like transfers on Football Manager but it’s also very real when you get signed,” he added.

IPL auctioneer falling ill on stage delayed us setting off, says Wood

During the chat, Mark Wood also disclosed how the auction had caused a delay to his weekend getaway plans with the family.The auction was stopped for a significant period of time after auctioneer Hugh Edmeades collapsed after falling ill. Charu Sharma filled in for him for the rest of the event.

“We were about to go away for the weekend for a wedding anniversary I missed in Australia but the IPL auctioneer falling ill on stage paused everything and delayed us setting off,” Wood said. “Harry was meant to sleep in the car but just conked out on the sofa before my name came up. I remember Sarah shouting but also whispering Get back here now,’ as I was putting some dishes in the sink. After a quiet start to the bidding, suddenly it moved fast and the numbers went up,” he added.

The Lucknow based franchisee is set to make their debut at the upcoming 15th edition of the IPL and have appointed KL Rahul as their captain. The franchisee had drafted Rahul along with Marcus Stoinis and Ravi Bishnoi before the auction.