Andre Russell absent from full list of BBL draft hopefuls

Competing T20 competitions around the world are set to impact the Big Bash again despite a massive boost in cash being offered to the best players.

West Indian T20 megastar Andre Russell has baulked at a Big Bash return and was absent from the final list of 376 male players who have nominated for the international player draft.

As expected spin star Rashid Khan will return having backflipped on his planned boycott after Cricket Australia cancelled planned games against his native Afghanistan and he’s set to return to the Adelaide Strikers as a retention pick.

An influx of players from Pakistan dominated the nominations ahead of Sunday’s draft with more than 30 internationals including Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan available to the eight BBL teams.

Overall, players from 29 countries have put their hand up to play including South African star Quinton de Kock and former West Indian captain Jason Holder.

But his countryman Russell, who was a marquee players in last year’s inaugural draft but went unselected despite being paid marketing cash by CA, has not nominated as two more lucrative competitions, in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, cross over with the BBL in January.

Andre Russell played for the Renegades last summer (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The South African tournament will also mean the likes of de Kock are available for only limited games, which could make them less appealing when it comes to the draft.

The Melbourne Renegades eventually signed Russell to a four-game deal last summer which helped propel them in to the finals.

Khan, the most successful international bowler in the BBL, will be a platinum pick in the draft with players in that bracket guaranteed to pocket up to $420,000 this season.

Despite the absence of the likes of Russell and English stars including World Cup winning captain Jos Buttler Big Bash boss Alastair Dobson was adamant the league had attracted “top-tier talent”

“The sheer volume and calibre of nominations for both Drafts speaks to the appeal of the Big Bash League for players from across the globe and reinforces the competition‘s reputation for showcasing top-tier talent and providing unparalleled entertainment,” he said.

“With the uplift in Big Bash player payment pools this season, top international players set to earn more than ever before highlighting the Big Bash League’s continued commitment to fostering a world-class competition.

Head of Big Bash Leagues Alistair Dobson . (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING

“On behalf of the League and our Clubs, we extend thanks to all players and their agents around the world for their support of the drafts and the Big Bash Leagues.

“We look forward with great anticipation to the Drafts this Sunday.”

The final list of nominees for the WBBL draft also included 122 players with both drafts to be held on Sunday, September 3.

The Melbourne Stars hold the first pick in this year‘s draft following a weighted lottery in July, while the Thunder will make the first ever selection in the WBBL draft.

Originally published as Andre Russell absent from full list of BBL draft hopefuls