About $6 million will be handed out in two hours on Sunday night during the first Big Bash draft for overseas players as Cricket Australia attempts to revive the flagging competition.
While more than 330 players from 20 countries have nominated for the inaugural draft, only 24 will be chosen and most will be familiar names who have previously plied their trade in the BBL.
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis could be a high pick in the BBL draft.Credit:AP
But this time the circumstances are different. Australian cricket faces unprecedented challenges from a flood of Indian money backing new T20 competitions in South Africa and the UAE scheduled for Australia’s BBL prime time in January.
Usman Khawaja was critical of Cricket Australia for not acting sooner.
“I’ve been vocal about the BBL and privatisation and making sure we keep our players,” Khawaja said at a press conference in Sydney on Saturday where he was announced as the International Cricket Council’s Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Multicultural Ambassador.
“The reason the players are thinking about going to the UAE is because the comp is a lot bigger and they’re going to get paid more.
Usman Khawaja is switching from the Sydney Thunder to the Brisbane Heat this summer.Credit:Getty Images
“Those decisions were always going to come up,” he said, later adding: “We have to find ways to keep our players and in the end that comes down to the salary cap.”
While the local BBL players will miss out on the big money this season, Cricket Australia is expected to double the salary cap to almost $4 million for each of the eight teams next summer.
A dozen overseas players listed as platinum in Sunday’s draft can make $340,000 for playing in the first half of the Big Bash during December and early January, and then another $500,000 in the UAE.
Along with platinum players, anyone nominated in the gold category can receive $260,000, silver $175,000 and bronze $100,000. Each team can select three overseas players.
Adelaide Strikers spin wizard Rashid Khan.Credit:Getty Images
Cricket Australia has taken the attitude that half of something substantial is infinitely better than nothing, with a number of Australian players stepping in to add box-office appeal after the New Year’s Test in Sydney.
Chief among them is David Warner, back in the BBL after an eight-year absence on an unprecedented deal to play five games for the Sydney Thunder at about $70,000 each.
Cricket Australia has been blessed by South Africa withdrawing from a short one-day series in January to ensure their best players are available for the new SA T20 competition.
This leaves a usually cluttered post-Test period free from white-ball internationals for Australia’s best short-form players, such as Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa to play the entire Big Bash.
Andre Russell will be a sought-after selection.Credit:Getty
Along with Warner, most other Test players will step in when the leading overseas players head to the UAE.
With unhappy broadcasters Channel Seven and Fox, Australian cricket needs a revived Big Bash to match or better the current $200 million a year deal which ends in 2024.
First round draft predictions
1. Melbourne Renegades: The Renegades will be looking for a box office attraction to put bums on seats at Marvel Stadium with their first pick. A dynamic hitter such as Andre Russell or Ian Livingstone would fit that bill.
2. Melbourne Stars: The Stars have a history of recruiting quality fast bowlers and will have the opportunity of drafting one of the best in the business, New Zealand’s Trent Boult.
New Zealand paceman Trent Boult.Credit:AP
3. Brisbane Heat: The Heat will need to replace six hitter Chris Lynn at the top of the order. While they have picked up Usman Khawaja from the Thunder he will only be available after Test duties. Former South African captain Faf du Plessis would be an ideal selection for the first half of the BBL before he heads to the UAE.
4. Sydney Sixers: The Sixers like bowling allrounders. They could retain Chris Jordan from last season or even look at Andre Russell if he was still undrafted.
5. Adelaide Strikers: They seem certain to retain Afghani leg-spinner Rashid Khan, one of the most exciting players in the BBL.
The Sydney Thunder may retain big hitter Alex Hales.Credit:Getty Images
6. Perth Scorchers: The reigning BBL champions have a strong list and may pass on a platinum pick to select a lesser player who is available for the whole competition.
7. Sydney Thunder: With Warner replacing Khawaja at the top of the order, the Thunder may retain lively keeper-batsman Sam Billings or save their retention pick for master blaster Alex Hales later in the draft.
8. Hobart Hurricanes: Already with two of the most dangerous BBL batsmen, Matthew Wade and Ben McDermott, they may decide to go for another box office hitter like Kieron Pollard.
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