The Indian media conglomerate Sun TV completed a full takeover of the franchise formerly known as Northern Superchargers last year, buying a 49% stake from the ECB and the remaining 51% from Yorkshire for around £100 million. Stakes in three other Hundred teams were also sold to investors who own IPL franchises.
Several Pakistan players have previously played for global T20 teams owned or part-owned by IPL franchises, but no active Pakistan internationals have featured in the IPL since 2008 due to the long-running geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.
From a base price of £75,000, Coles attracted early bids from Manchester Super Giants, as well as Phoenix and Rockets. Sunrisers Leeds entered the bidding at £220,000 and Rockets dropped out at £260,000, only for London Spirit to enter and eventually gazump Sunrisers to secure his services.
Coles is set to be the fourth-highest earner in the Hundred this summer, behind only Harry Brook (£465,000 at Sunrisers Leeds), Phil Salt (£450,000 at Welsh Fire) and Jofra Archer (£400,000 at Southern Brave) who were all pre-signed before Thursday’s auction.
The afternoon’s bidding saw Scott Currie (£210,00 at Birmingham Phoenix) and Sam Billings (£180,000 at Trent Rockets) earn substantial deals, while England Under-19 captain Thomas Rew joined Southern Brave for £80,000 despite having played only three first-team T20 matches.
