WPL Auction 2023: Twitter in shock as Suzie Bates goes unsold

Five Women's Premier League (WPL) are battling for the signatures of the biggest T20 star at the ongoing WPL Auction 2023 in Mumbai on February 13. Royal Challengers Bangalore made the headlines in the first round of the auction with the signing of Smriti Mandhana for a whooping price of INR 3.4 crore.

India's Deepti Sharma and Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner also bagged big deals but the cricketing world was surprised to see some big names going unsold in the main auction round. In one of the biggest shocks, New Zealand star Suzie Bates failed to attract any bidders.

The veteran batting all-rounder had set a base price of just INR 30 lakh but the teams seemed not interested to open a bid for Bates. With just INR 12 crore available to spend and a restriction of buying just six overseas cricketers, the franchises decided not to go after Bates, however, she might find a buyer in the accelerated round. 

The 35-year-old is the leading run-getter in women's T20Is with 3683 runs at an average of 29 and a strike rate of 109.28 from 140 matches, with one century and 23 wickets. Bates, a right-arm medium pacer, also has impressive numbers with the ball in T20Is, having scalped 55 wickets from 83 innings at an average of 23.72 and an economy rate of 6.60 so far.

She is currently involved with New Zealand team in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. In her recent T20 outings, she smashed 293 runs from just five innings with one century and two fifties, but it was not enough to bag her a WPL deal.

Apart from Bates, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews also failed to win a WPL contract. She ranks first in ICC ODI all-rounder's chart and fourth in T20Is. Star South African opener Laura Wolvaardt along with current captain Sune Luus also went unsold. English veterans Dani Waytt and Tammy Beaumont also failed to bag deals as franchises seemed more interested in young Indian talent.

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Here is how Twitter is reacting to Suzie Bates going unsold in the WPL Auction 2023:

So many good players like Chamari Athapathu, Suzie Bates, Hayley Matthews, Dani Wyatt have gone unsold. It looks like owners have no idea about women's cricket. Owners should have done thorough research before bidding. #WPLAuction @MiPaltan @RCBTweets @DelhiCapitals

— प्रkash (@iPraksy) February 13, 2023

Suzie bates and Dani Wyatt r unsold omg very shocking but yes there current form matters

— Hyderabadii (@chumchum432) February 13, 2023

Suzie Bates and Suresh Raina going unsold in WPL & IPL. Time spares no one bro no one

— Poudel Sagar (@bandagopikauli) February 13, 2023

I'm still in shock suzie bates unsold 😢🙁#WPLAuction

— AKASH JHA (@_imakash01) February 13, 2023

Abey bhai Suzie bates,Hayley mathews,Beaumont unsold is Tiktoker is better then them she is not going to be consistent she has to remain unsold poor and Pathetic selection

— Avinash bhadwa (@impulsiveAcade1) February 13, 2023

Suzie Bates ? She is unsold...

Ig you're talking about Sophie Devine

— Yasodharan 💫 (@Inside_out18) February 13, 2023

Suzie Bates unsold!

Perhaps not at the peak of her prowess. Although saw her get a brilliant 90 odd in the Cwg last yr.

16-17-year long career.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) February 13, 2023