The inaugural Big Bash draft went strong, with big-name signings rounding out lists and massive names overhauled.
England’s Liam Livingstone became the competition’s first draft signing as Melbourne Renegades went all-in on the six-hit all-rounder.
Ricky Ponting’s Hobart Hurricanes surprised everyone by turning to Pakistan as they picked all three overseas players from the proud cricketing nation.
While Perth Scorchers, the kings of Big Bash cricket and last season’s champions, surprised more by opting to pass on their ‘platinum pick’ and opt for proven performers and in the gold and silver categories. The tactic was described as “extraordinary” by Fox Cricket’s Kath Loughnan, while World Cup winner Mike Hussey said it was a “massive call”.
Some of the world’s biggest T20 names were also snubbed, with the West Indies trio of Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell not selected.
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Full BBL Inaugural Draft | 05:12
Despite opting for Pakistan’s Shadab Khan, Ponting said he was surprised that the leg-spinner and Russell in particular were not selected in the first premium picks of the eight franchises.
Other big names who were not picked up were South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, England’s Jason Roy and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor.
All eight franchises came out of the draft happy with their selections.
But who came out on top in the draft ahead of BBL12?
All teams pose after the 2022 Big Bash League Draft in Melbourne on August 28, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
World Cup-winning coach Darren Lehmann believed the Renegades outplayed their rivals given the luxury of the first pick in the first two rounds, but also said the Sydney Thunder were “one of biggest winners” after selecting David Willey, Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw. .
“Obviously with the first two picks they’re very happy, but (David) Willey is exceptional,” Lehmann said.
“I think the Renegades, who had the first pick, were happy with Livingstone and then they got Mujeeb Ur-Rahman.”
He added: “He’s (Willey) a good pick. He swings it, but he can also change the game with his hitting. And Roussouw, he’s a quality player at four and in the form of life. They’re probably one of the big winners”.
MELBOURNE RENAGADES
SELECTIONS: Liam Livingstone, Mujeeb Ur-Rahman, Akeal Hosein
After struggling since taking out BBL|08, the Renegades are back on a roll.
Because? On the slower covers at Marvel Stadium, David Saker believes the spin ball will be more successful than the top-line fast ones.
By picking Livingstone, the Renegades have got the best of both worlds because the hard-hitting batsman, who is likely to bat in the middle order, can also bowl spinners and leg-spinners with precision.
Liam Livingstone is one of the best T20 players in the world. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
The launch of Mujeeb ur-Rahman and the Renegades have more than compensated for the loss of Cameron Boyce.
Akeal Hosein has also been picked up and West Indies have proved economical and offer another slow option.
Much will rest on Livingstone’s shoulders, and if Aaron Finch can regain his touch, the Renegades could truly emerge as contenders once again.
WHAT THEY SAID: “They’ve spun heavy. As David Saker said, they’ve used the pace of the previous three years and probably not gotten the results they’re looking for, so they’ve spun to win the theory,” Lehmann said.
Mike Hussey agreed: “I think it’s not a bad way to go. It’s a bit of a different tactic to other places in the country. It’s going to be a tough place to come and play and win, especially when you in plenty of overs.And Liam Livingstone may come to make himself a few useful pants, but he hit a massive square off the wicket.
Livingstone’s selection and his return to the Big Bash is one of the biggest coups for the competition.
The destructive right-hander has been growing as a player and Hussey said his “fearless” attitude was a real benefit for the Renegades.
“What I love about him is he’s fearless with the bat. He just gets on with it from the get-go,” Fox Cricket’s Hussey said.
“He’s a great signing, and I think he’ll light up the Big Bash again.”
CLASSIFICATION: A+
MELBOURNE STARS
SELECTIONS: Trent Boult, Joe Clarke, Luke Wood
Seven wins in 14 games last season showed the Stars were in the hunt, but they struggled with consistency.
In particular, the signings of Boult and Clarke will help the Stars return to the finals.
Boult has been a top-class fast bowler for the past decade and continues the fine legacy of quality quicks making it to the stars as big-name recruits.
More than what he offers on the cricket field, Boult’s leadership and ‘team first’ attitude will be highly valued at the Stars.
New Zealand’s Trent Boult will play for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
Clarke returns after a strong season where he hit 428 runs and hit 148. It’s no surprise that the Stars have snapped up the Englishman again.
Luke Wood, meanwhile, provides a left-arm option with the ball and some useful lower-order runs.
WHAT THEY SAID: “I think (Boult) fits his team perfectly,” Hussey said. “It is a great signing.
“Dangerous at the top of the order and we all know how important the wickets are going to be. We were wondering if they would retain Andre Russell or if they needed a bowler to prop up this new bowling ball.
“We thought they would bring Joe Clarke back as a wicket-keeper batsman and they seem impressed by Luke Wood.
Lehmann agreed, but shrewdly pointed out that by having both left-handers in the lineup, the Stars were essentially showing their hand.
“They are very good selections everywhere. The only thing I would say is two left-arm opening bowlers, you know they’ll open with Luke Wood swinging (the ball) and Trent Boult as well,” Lehmann said.
“Joe Clarke was fantastic for them last year and they needed a goalkeeper.”
GRADE: A
Sam Billings was the first pick of the Brisbane Heat. photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
BRISBANE HEAT
SELECTIONS: Sam Billings, Colin Munro, Ross Whiteley
Englishman Billings was prolific for the Thunder, but the Sydney-based team chose not to keep him from moving to the Heat.
Billings is versatile and will add a lot with the bat. But his energy is another factor that will help from a team perspective.
Colin Munro can be world class on his day with the bat, while Ross Whiteley has scored runs for years.
The Heat will rely heavily on Billings and Munro.
WHAT THEY SAID: “That strengthens our back six and you think about the guys coming back from Test duty, hopefully Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne,” Lehmann said.
“Sam Billings is a back-up wicketkeeper if you need him and he has hurt us a few times and he plays all over the wicket and brings experience to the middle order and plays really well. Colin Munro is the same.
Hussey added: “Billings and Munro have improved their T20 cricket a lot over the last few years.
“I think the Heat would have been nervous with those two selections because there was a right to match both selections because there was an opportunity to match Munro with the Scorchers and Sydney Thunder with Billings, so I think the Heat would be delighted” .
GRADE: B+
James Vince (L) and Chris Jordan (2nd right) will play for the Sydney Sixers in BBL|12. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
SYDNEY SIXERS
SELECTIONS: Chris Jordan, James Vince, Izharulhaq Naveed
It looks like last year’s beaten finalists will be very important again at the end of the season.
The selections of Jordan and Vince provide the Sixers with experience and quality to win games.
Vince was drafted second, but will hold the key at the top of the Sixers’ order.
Izharulhaq Naveed might be an unknown quantity Down Under, but the 18-year-old has been plucked from Afghanistan and is a leg-spinner with a bright future.
It adds to the solid depth stock the Sixers have, with Steve O’Keefe returning to the team
WHAT THEY SAID: “He’s a good player Chris Jordan, he can bowl at the death and he’s a good guy. They stuck to their guns, which most franchises did,” Lehmann said.
Hussey said: “I think they like to get good overseas bowlers. They’ve had Tom Curran in the past, Chris Jordan has been there, someone to help Sean Abbott, who also gets right at the death. The his team looks excellent once again at the Sydney Sixers.”
GRADE: B+
ADELAIDE STRIKERS
SELECTIONS: Rashid Khan, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Hose
Khan’s selection was the most obvious pick in the BBL draft, and for good reason. The leg-spinner has been turning heads since coming into the competition and is world class.
Khan can change a game in his head and has done so regularly.
The selection of veteran New Zealander Colin de Grandhomme was one of the surprise picks.
But it could prove to be a beauty.
He may have a calm and relaxed demeanor, but the all-rounder hits them and bowls more than useful seamers who can be difficult to run away from.
WHAT THEY SAID: “Everyone wants him to stay as a striker. This is good for the game. And their other two selected, De Grandhomme and Hose, who is a good player. They’ve thrown a couple of surprises,” Lehmann said.
“For me Rashid was no surprise, but the other two surprised me,” Hussey said.
“But like we said, these teams do a lot of homework.”
GRADE: B+
Mark Howard interviews Strikers coach Jason Gillespie during the BBL draft. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
PERTH SCORCHERS
SELECTIONS: Laurie Evans, Phil Salt, Tymal Mills
Evans led the Scorchers to BBL glory last season, so it was no surprise that he was blocked by the Scorchers when a rival came calling.
The other two selections come with risk and…