England trio Matt Prior, Monty Panesar and Ravi Bopara aiming to cash in at IPL auction The IPL begins on April 3, shortly after the end of England's Test series in New Zealand, leaving the players a month to play in India, a period longer than in previous years. Prior and Bopara entered the auction last year but failed to attract a single bid. Panesar is popular in India but his lack of all-round skills may deter franchise coaches from making a bid. He did not feature in last year's Twenty20 Cup for Sussex and has not played limited overs cricket for England for more than five years. Kevin Pietersen is England's only high profile cricketer to have enjoyed success in the IPL and he will fulfil the final year of his contract with the Delhi Daredevils. Eoin Morgan has a deal with the Kolkata Knight Riders and last year chose to make himself available for the full IPL rather than play county cricket for Middlesex and try to regain his Test place. The decision backfired as he failed to make an appearance for the Knight Riders and has seen Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root play for England ahead of him. Hampshire have defended their decision to go into partnership with Cricket Australia to provide playing and coaching opportunities for six of Australia's most talented youngsters next season. Hampshire have established the Ageas Bowl International Cricket Academy at their headquarters near Southampton to utilise the facilities and coaching expertise there. They hope to attract players from all over the world with Cricket Australia the first sign up to the pioneering venture. Six Australia Under-19 or Australia A players, will spend time at the academy and play and coach for clubs in the Southern Electric Premier League. The initiative may be seen as allowing Australians with the potential to play in future Ashes series to familiarise themselves with English conditions but Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove disagrees. "We have been sending English players to play grade cricket in Australia since time immemorial," Bransgrove said. We have sent players out to India, South Africa and Australia this winter and the England Lions squad is about to go to Australia. This is about developing young cricketers during our summer and maximising our facilities and coaching expertise.