They were all among the disappointed Notts Outlaws side to miss out on the chance to earn a place in last summer’s Friends Provident t20 final when their semi-final match with Somerset Sabres was cut short by rain.

Now, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, David Hussey, Dirk Nannes and Samit Patel are all hoping that by the end of this weekend they will be playing in this spring’s Indian Premier League.

The auction for the keenly-anticipated fourth instalment of what is widely regarded as the best domestic 20-over competition in world cricket takes place tomorrow and Sunday in Bangalore.

What is beyond doubt is that it is the most star-studded - and the one in which all the big names want to play with such riches on offer.

The Notts contingent are among a shortlist of 350 players hoping to be picked up by one the ten franchises, which would earn those who are selected a lucrative contract for the relatively short period the event takes place between April 8 and May 22.

Despite a maximum base price of $400,000, it is no surprise Swann is such an attractive proposition, having accomplished so much in the last calendar year.

He has established himself as the best spinner in the world and is respectively rated number two and three in the ICC’s Test and one-day rankings for all bowlers.

Swann was a part of England’s T20 World Cup winning side in the West Indies last May and has also maintained good form in the 3-1 Ashes victory over Australia, completed earlier today.

Not only that, but the ex-Northants player has shown he can contribute with the bat in the shortest form of the game, often being employed as a pinch hitter at the top of the order for Notts.

Broad (base price $400,000) was forced to fly home early from the tour of Australia with an abdominal injury, but should be back firing on all cylinders when the IPL clicks into gear.

Like Swann, the former Leicestershire man can boast all-round ability with his big hundred against Pakistan last summer underlining his ability with the bat.

But it is Broad’s bowling at good pace and with the ability to extract extra bounce on flat pitches that should see him secure a spot with one of the franchises.

As Notts fans will know, because it has restricted the time he has been able to turn out for the county, Hussey (base price £300,000) has already played in all the three previous incarnations of the IPL.

Last year, Hussey scored 94 runs in six matches at 23.50 for the Kolkata Knight Riders and 98 runs in four matches at 24.50 in 2009.

It was in the first year of the competition, 2008, when he was at his most consistent, scoring 319 runs in 13 matches at 29.00.

Nannes (base price $200,000) is considered something of a T20 specialist and has starred for both the Netherlands and Australia on the world stage.

Regarded as one of the quickest bowlers in the world, the left-hander played in the IPL for the first time in 2009 when he took 15 wickets at 24.80 from 13 matches.

Last year, he was back for more with the same team, Delhi Daredevils, claiming seven wickets at 32.00 from nine appearances.

Without the superstar reputation of his colleagues, Samit Patel (base price $50,000) could be something of a bargain buy if a franchise chooses to go for him.

He has illustrated time and again for Notts to be one of the best one-day players on the county circuit and also performed with distinction for England in the one-day arena before he was dropped amid much-publicised concerns over his fitness.

But there has never been any doubting Patel’s ability to strike boundaries at a high strike rate and also snare batsmen at crucial times as they look to attack his left-arm spin.

Another man to keep an eye on in Adam Voges (base price $100,000), who did not join Notts until their t20 action had finished.

The Western Australian enjoyed the 2010 IPL, as he notched 181 runs in nine matches with an impressive average of 45.25.

Not all of Notts’ ‘super six’ are likely to make the final cut, but all of them would undoubtedly have plenty to offer should they be given an opportunity to shine.