On the Eve of the 14th Edition, English Players Dominate the Big Bash League Draft
With the 14th installment of the Big Bash League (BBL) around the corner, the league’s player draft saw a strong representation from English cricketers. A total of 14 English players will be part of the upcoming BBL season, reflecting the growing interest and talent from across the pond.
Ben Duckett, who previously played for Brisbane Heat in 2021-22, was the first pick for the Melbourne Stars in the platinum category. Meanwhile, Perth Scorchers opted not to retain Laurie Evans, who was subsequently selected by the Melbourne Renegades.
The Renegades had the second pick and initially chose James Vince, but the Sydney Sixers used their retention pick to bring the opener back, despite his limited availability for the full season. The Sixers, picking last in the first two rounds, allocated a gold category to West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein, whom they had pre-signed, though he will only be available for seven games.
“Shai Hope, who had the influence of Hobart Hurricanes head coach Ricky Ponting – also the Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2024 coach – was the Hurricanes’ platinum category pick.”
The Hurricanes also pre-signed Chris Jordan for two years, allocating him the platinum category, and drafted Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.
Defending champions Brisbane Heat managed to retain their tall, left-arm fast bowler Paul Walter in the second round, after pre-signing Colin Munro in the platinum category. Debutant Tom Alsop, the Sussex and Trent Rockets batter, rounded out the Heat’s draft picks.
Apart from Duckett, the Stars also selected Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir and allocated a second platinum category pick to Tom Curran, with whom they had signed a two-year deal.
The Adelaide Strikers, who had pre-signed Ollie Pope in the gold category, drafted all-rounder Jamie Overton in the platinum category and West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen in the third round. The Sydney Thunder allocated the platinum category to their pre-signing Sam Billings and drafted in New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (also platinum) and West Indies finisher Sherfane Rutherford (silver).
While seven teams opted not to make picks in the last two rounds, the Scorchers went a bit off the beaten path, signing Lancashire wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Hurst and Keaton Jennings as their final pick. The Sixers, as their last selection, drafted in Yorkshire leg-spinner Jafer Chohan, who had a impressive T20 Blast campaign this year.
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