Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, Andre Russell prime targets as Big Bash franchises go shopping for summer specials
Premium player property like Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes are all in the ballpark as the Big Bash looks to cash in on a lack of cricket in 2020 by enticing the world’s best Down Under for a T20 summer spectacular.
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Ashes nemesis Jofra Archer could lead a host of international superstars flooding back to the Big Bash League this summer, as players chase a post-COVID pay day.
Although the coronavirus has become a damaging mess for Cricket Australia on several fronts, there is genuine optimism that the BBL could end up in pole position to cash in once the lights come back on.
CA has imposed an embargo on all BBL signings, but News Corp Australia understands talks between clubs and overseas stars has already begun and premium property like Archer, Ben Stokes and Andre Russell are now back in the ballpark.
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Forces behind the scenes are also urging CA to throw caution to the wind and have the conversation with the BCCI about Indian stars being made available for the first time – a dream which would change the competition forever if it was ever pulled off.
As a starting point, the Hobart Hurricanes declared on Wednesday they’re confident of luring England destroyer and box office star Archer back to the BBL.
The game’s biggest names will have gone the best part of a year with the Twenty20 gravy train shut down, and even with the IPL pushing hard to put on a mini tournament in October-November, the timing of the BBL over summer could fall into the sweet spot for more widespread international travel becoming manageable.
“He (Archer) is more of a chance now than he ever has been,” Cricket Tasmania chief Dominic Baker said.
“They (England) are not going to get a season so I wouldn’t be surprised if they are keen to allow their players to get out wherever they’ve got contracts and play to get some cricket back into them.
“And he is still on our list, so hopefully, yes, as we’d love to see him come back.”
In recent years, Bangladesh and Pakistan has been able to steal the cream of the international crop away from the BBL, but the pandemic is likely to take them out of play for 2021.
If the World Cup is moved from October to February in Australia, then it would only increase the attraction of a BBL on the eve of the Twenty20 showpiece.
Players association president Shane Watson said earlier this week that he’d like to see the number of international players for each BBL side double from two to four – a statement which has pricked the ears of broadcasters who have long been campaigning CA and the cricketers’ union for more global superstars.
Even before COVID-19 took hold, high level talks were taking place at Cricket Australia about how to lure more big names out for the BBL – after feedback from Channel 7 and Fox Sports reflected a view that CA needs to make the BBL more of a priority.
There have been discussions about CA contributing towards contracts or even signing players on behalf of the clubs. Proposals have also been put forward for an auction or a draft, or something funky that would put the BBL back on the map for disinterested stars who have found in recent seasons they can earn more money for less work elsewhere.
Test great and Brisbane Heat board member Ian Healy last week called on Cricket Australia to try and take advantage of the unique landscape and negotiate with the BCCI about Indian players coming to the BBL.
Lobbying India about this is something that has been spoken about in the wake of CA commissioning a review into the BBL and how it is run.