Despite claiming that the huge rewards on offer from the Indian Premier League are not tempting, Kevin Pietersen remains the 2/1 favourite to be the first centrally contracted England player to sign up for next month's tournament.Pietersen will want to ply his talents on the world stage in his belief that he is the world's best batsman and although he has stated that he will not be tempted he remains the favourite to be first centrally contracted England player to sign up.The new tournament, which begins next month, is said to be the hot topic of conversation in the England dressing room and PCA chief executive Sean Morris claims players should be given the chance. But with participation potentially threatening their England careers, speculation is growing as to who will be the first to break rank.Ryan Sidebottom and one day captain Paul Collingwood are the 3/1 second favourites, with Test skipper Michael Vaughan the 8/1 outsider on a list of likely defectors.

Over valued??????????????

Fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza on Friday was purchased for US$ 6,00,000 by Kolkata Knight Riders in the second Indian Premier League auction. he said that it is a reward for his consistent form this season. He feels that this is a result of all hard work he had put in over the years and a reward for being consistent this season. His ranking is number eight in the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers. Mortaza's bidding started with a base price of US$ 50000 but his figures kept climbing steadily with the Kings XI Punjab hot on the heels of the Knight Riders before the Kolkata side roped him for 12 times his starting price. Sachin Tendulkar has been an idol for him. He dreamt of playing alongside him some day and now they are in the same team.

Now he needs to start thinking of saving the tax as tax authorities in India have also heared this......