After their top choice, Mark Wood was ruled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) due to an elbow injury, the Lucknow Super Giants are on the market for a new pacer. At this year’s auction, the RPSG Group-owned franchise spent Rs 7.5 crore on the Englishman.
The UP-based team has yet to identify a replacement for the World Cup winner. With just over a week until the 15th edition of the competition begins, they will be aiming to announce a successor as soon as possible, with the hope of bringing in a strong overseas fast bowler.
Kane Richardson
The fact that Kane Richardson went unsold in the IPL 2022 auction startled many, but the injury of Mark Wood may provide the Australian speedster with a chance to compete again in this competition. In 15 IPL outings, he has taken 19 wickets.
Josh Little
The defending champions Chennai Super Kings have recruited Josh Little as a net bowler, but he can swiftly join the Lucknow Super Giants thanks to a bubble-to bubble transfer. Meanwhile, the amount of Josh Little’s signing bonus has yet to be announced, but it will be intriguing to watch if he will be seen in Lucknow colors.
Sheldon Cottrell
Only a few years ago, Sheldon Cottrell was one of the most sought-after T20 bowlers, having been signed by Punjab Kings for INR 8.50 crore. Cottrell will be a good option as Mark Wood‘s replacement, even if he could not justify his price tag by picking up six wickets in as many games.
Andrew Tye
Andrew Tye has the potential to be a good replacement for Mark Wood. He last played for the 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals in a single game in IPL 2020. When Tye’s name had popped at the last month’s mega auction, no franchise showed any interest in him and he went unsold.
Oshane Thomas
Cottrell’s West Indian teammate Oshane Thomas was a member of the Rajasthan Royals in 2019, where he performed a respectable job by picking up five wickets in four matches at an economy rate of under eight runs per over.
