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IPL auction goes head to head with ODI

While Australia and New Zealand battle in Wellington, some players may have an eye on Bangalore

Trans-Tasman rivals will become teammates on Saturday, with the Indian Premier League auction to unfold at the same time as the ODI in Wellington.

Australia will be desperate to square the three-match series after a shambolic loss to New Zealand in Auckland, but thoughts of the action in Bangalore may be at the back of their minds.

Of the 14-man touring party, eight will go under the hammer as IPL franchises look to beef up their squads.

Usman Khawaja, who is yet to take part in the IPL, is expected to attract a lot of attention after his sparkling stint with Sydney Thunder.

Khawaja's reserve is approximately $A206,000 while the bidding will start at approximately $A411,000 for Kane Richardson and Mitch Marsh.

Khawaja, Richardson, Marsh, George Bailey, John Hastings, Adam Zampa, Marcus Stoinis and Scott Boland will all be up for grabs when the auction begins at on Saturday evening.

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Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the biggest IPL contract // Getty

None of the eight will match the record-breaking $3.31 million contract that was awarded to Yuvraj Singh by Delhi Daredevils in 2015; an investment of roughly $13,347 per run.

But all will have high hopes of being picked up when the three-match ODI series continues at the Cake Tin.

Players have to hand mobile phones over during matches as part of anti-corruption rules, but team management will be able to keep them abreast of developments.

"A couple of years ago the Aussies were saying it was like that, they had a bat then came off and found out what they went for," NZ allrounder Corey Anderson said on Friday.

"It's probably a pretty unreal feeling.

"Whether they (NZ management) hold it back till after the game I'm not too sure. I'm sure in some way shape or form the boys will find out."

It's understood Cricket Australia won't enforce a strict rule on the squad regarding the auction, leaving it up to players as to how they want to approach a potentially awkward situation.

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Australian paceman Jackson Bird hopes to secure a contract in the IPL auction // Getty

Shane Watson and Aaron Finch have been listed as marquee players in the IPL auction, meaning they will be among the first few up for sale.

Test squad members Joe Burns, Adam Voges, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird have also thrown their hats in the ring.

Hard-hitting opener Martin Guptill headlines New Zealand's list of IPL nominees, with Tim Southee, James Neesham and Grant Elliott also making themselves available.

"Whatever Gup goes for, he's going to deserve it," Anderson said.

"We'll be playing while it's happening and I know Gup will have his mind on the game."

Brad Hodge and Ricky Ponting are among the Australian coaches involved in the Twenty20 league. 

AUSTRALIAN IPL HOPEFULS TO GO UNDER THE HAMMER:

Marquee players: Shane Watson, Aaron Finch

Batsmen: David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Cameron White, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Joe Burns, George Bailey, Nic Maddinson, Michael Klinger, Aiden Blizzard, Travis Head, Alex Ross

Bowlers: Kane Richardson, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Tait, John Hastings, Scott Boland, Jackson Bird, Cameron Boyce, Joel Paris, Ben Laughlin, Michael Beer, Adam Zampa

Wicketkeepers: Brad Haddin, Peter Handscomb, Ben Dunk, Tim Ludeman, Cameron Bancroft

Allrounders: Mitch Marsh, Ashton Agar, Ben Cutting, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

AUSTRALIANS ALREADY ON IPL CONTRACTS:

Nathan Coulter-Nile ($883,000 - Delhi), Chris Lynn ($270,000 - Kolkata), Brad Hogg ($104,000 - Kolkata), Steve Smith ($831,000 - Pune), James Faulkner ($1.06m - Gujarat), Glenn Maxwell ($1.25m - Kings XI), Shaun Marsh ($457,000 - Kings XI), Mitchell Johnson ($1.35m - Kings XI), Mitchell Starc ($1.04m - Bangalore), David Warner ($1.14m - Hyderabad), Moises Henriques ($209,000 - Hyderabad).