Hundred: What is an auction and how does it work?

Among those on this year’s longlist is former England bowler Timal Mills.

Mills, 33, is the leading wicket-taker in the men’s competition, having featured in all five seasons for the Southern Brave.

In 2017, Mills was selected in the IPL draft by Royal Challengers Bangalore for £1,200 lakh, just under £1 million which made him the second most expensive overseas signing that year behind current England men’s Test captain, Ben Stokes.

“This money has really changed my life, and at a time when I didn’t have any money at all, this came along,” Mills told BBC Sport.

“Sitting and watching that on TV, I was in the UAE at the time, and I just watched your head appear on the screen and then to see the guys in a room raise a paddle and outbid you, it was very surreal.

“The first IPL experience was amazing.”

Like many veteran cricketers, Mills has seen the highs of chasing big money and the lows of not signing.

“I’ve had a lot of other drafts and auctions since then that didn’t go my way,” Mills added.

“You rarely go into things with a guarantee. I’ve been to a lot of auctions and drafts over the years where you’re told, ‘Maybe the team owner or coach says we’re going to pick you in this class or we’re going to make an offer for you’ and then things change and it doesn’t happen.”

“I’ve learned not to bet too much on it because you know you can be disappointed. Once the draft or the auction itself starts and you start bidding and the dynamics can change quickly, so you have to hope things don’t conflict with you in terms of timing and other things that can affect your success in the auction.”

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