Otago bowling all-rounder Nathan McCullum will go under the auction hammer tonight, hoping he is not passed in.
The 29-year-old is one of 66 cricketers from 11 countries who are up for auction in Mumbai at 6.30pm (NZ time), as the eight Indian Premier League franchises compete for the best overseas talent to fill their playing rosters before the third edition of the tournament begins on March 12.
McCullum is one of four New Zealand hopefuls, along with Shane Bond, Lou Vincent and Grant Elliott.
Bond enhanced his reputation as one of the world's best strike bowlers with a superb performance against Pakistan in the first test in November, and Vincent cracked a ton for Auckland in a twenty/20 match last week.
The pair emerge as the most likely New Zealanders to pick up a one-year contract.
Bond, in particular, is expected to generate plenty of interest, with West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard, Pakistan's emerging batting star Umar Akmal and all-rounder Shahid Afridi likely to attract large bids.
McCullum, though, hopes his recent performances for Otago will stand him in good stead.
The off-spinner has produced some tidy spells, pulled off some impressive acrobatics in the field and played a valuable innings.
"Hopefully, that will help," McCullum said.
"It is just good to have made it this far and give myself an opportunity.
"I can't do anything other than perform well."
"What happens, happens," he added.
McCullum thought between 10 and 15 spots might be available.
A cap of $US750,000 ($NZ 1,020, 975) has been set and, with all the IPL contracts up for renewal in 2011, the auction is expected to be comparatively quiet.
Former Otago batsman and England international Jonathan Trott has also made the shortlist.
