BBL10: Big Bash League draft to be introduced from next season

We’ve had the power surge, the bash boost and the X-Factor — now the BBL is set for another major change which will shape the line-ups at every club from next summer.

Kevin Pietersen during the Big Bash League (BBL) match between Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG, Melbourne, on Saturday, January 27, 2018. (AAP Image/Mal Fairclough) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

The Big Bash League will introduce a draft for overseas superstars next summer with Melbourne Renegades likely to receive the golden No. 1 pick.

Renegades could get access to the world’s hottest free agent – a marquee player such as AB de Villiers, Jofra Archer, Andre Russell, Tom Banton or Ben Stokes – to help bounce back up the ladder should they collect a second-straight wooden spoon.

England’s megastars will be in Australia for next summer’s Ashes and if the dates line up they could be eligible to light up part of the BBL.

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Cricket Australia has discussed the concept with TV broadcasters and will invite internationals to nominate for the inaugural draft knowing that they could end up at any of the eight city-based franchises.

But existing loyalty will be rewarded, with cult heroes such as Rashid Khan (Strikers) set to be safeguarded from the open market after thrilling fans at Adelaide Oval for the past four seasons.

AB de Villiers is one of the big guns teams could target in a BBL draft.

An AFL-style bidding system is being considered, where the Strikers could match a bid for Khan should, for example, the Renegades try to select him with the No. 1 pick.

The COVID-19 pandemic ruined CA’s plans to bring in a BBL draft this season.

“We certainly have plans to bring it in for BBL11 (next season),” tournament boss Alistair Dobson told the Herald Sun.

“We had a model that we were pretty set on, and obviously the challenge around borders and international travel just meant that it wasn’t something we were able to bring in.”

Renegades have botched their international signings for the past two years with English bowlers Harry Gurney and Richard Gleeson and South African batsman Rilee Rossouw all proving busts.

While the $1.86 million salary cap is the primary equalisation measure, rewarding Renegades with the No. 1 pick would add another layer to that model.

But the method used to determine the BBL draft order has not been locked in, and so the Gades are no certainty to land an early draft pick.

“That’s (reverse ladder order) the most obvious model,” Dobson said.

“But the NBA have a lottery and whether you get more tickets in the lottery depending on where you finish, that’s one option.

“Completely random is another. There’s a few different models that we would consider.”

Rashid Khan’s loyalty to Adelaide will ensure he remains a Striker.

A pre-tournament draft would help turbocharge the start of the season by engaging fans as some of the biggest T20 names in world cricket are raffled across the country.

Players would nominate their availability and it would then be up to list managers to draft a combination of stars who could be spread across the 14-game home-and-away season plus finals.

“We know players aren’t always available for the full competition and that becomes part of the club’s list strategy,” Dobson said.

The BBL has hosted international stars including Kevin Pietersen.

“A player would nominate when they’re available and the club would then determine if that number of games for that salary whether that’s a player they want to pick up.

“The quality of our overseas players this year has been as good as its been for the past five or six years, and having the third player (in the XI) has lifted the standard again.”

Former Stars list boss and innovative T20 thinker Trent Woodhill helped design the BBL draft model after working extensively on the ECB’s version for The Hundred.

“A bit of showbiz around the BBL in the lead-up is great,” Dobson said.

“We’ve seen from other sports like the AFL just what interest and engagement you can get. Whether it’s a digital event or on TV, all those options are there.”