Steve Smith raises serious concerns after Big Bash League Draft

The Big Bash League’s first ever draft reportedly ruffled feathers with Steve Smith putting Cricket Australia under the microscope.

Smith issues warning to Cricket Australia after Big Bash Draft. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Australian cricketer Steve Smith has raised concerns about the newly-introduced Big Bash League Draft, warning that local players were quietly seething at their remuneration compared to the “big cash” contracts offered to international talent.

On Sunday evening, the eight Big Bash franchises secured the services of 24 international cricketers at the inaugural Draft, with England’s Liam Livingstone joining the Melbourne Renegades as their No. 1 pick.

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Platinum players, such as Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan and New Zealand paceman Trent Boult, were offered $340,000 contracts to participate in this summer’s BBL, despite only being available for two-thirds of the tournament.

Meanwhile, local players that had helped promote the competition over the past decade remained on basic contracts, which are restricted by a salary cap, according to The Australian.

Smith confessed he did not know how to resolve the BBL recruiting process, but called on CA to prioritise Australian players ahead of next year’s memorandum of understanding negotiations.

“In terms of tournaments around the world, you have to look after your local players most importantly,” he told reporters in Townsville on Tuesday morning.

“Seeing some of the players who are coming out for big cash, I know a few of the local players that are big players are a little bit disappointed in terms of remuneration for the tournament, so I think there’s going to have to be a way around that to keep your local players happy.”

Smith says local players aren’t happy. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Smith revealed the Sydney Sixers had offered him a contract, but the 33-year-old was still considering other “options”.

However, the former Australian captain ruled out playing in high-paying overseas domestic tournaments in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates during January’s BBL window.

“There’s a few things I could possibly do,” he said.

“I’ll see what happens.

“Not playing in another tournament, but there’s a few options. We will wait and see.”

Last week, Australian opener David Warner ended his nine-year Big Bash hiatus and signed for the Sydney Thunder on a six-figure salary, part of which CA is paying for.

Smith would need to be offered a similar deal for him to make a long-awaited comeback for the men in pink this summer.

Because the Sixers passed on their third-round pick, the club potentially has room available in its salary cap for an eleventh-hour Smith signing.

The talented right-hander was eager to ply his trade for the Sixers last summer when an ODI series against New Zealand was postponed, but CA blocked the move after asking the other Big Bash teams if they approved. Inevitably, they didn’t.

Nearly eight months later, Smith is still peeved about the verdict.

Smith and Warner could both be back in the Big Bash. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“There was a window there for me to play some white-ball cricket in the lead-up to the Sri Lanka T20s,” he explained.

“My T20 cricket hasn’t been as good as I would like it to be, so I wanted to get some cricket in to prepare for that series and to not be allowed to play in my domestic tournament, that was the most disappointing thing for me.”

With the likes of Josh Inglis and Tim David banging down the door for national selection, Smith could be fighting to keep his spot in the Australian XI ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup.

Smith’s T20I batting record leaves much to be desired – he has averaged 25.07 with the bat since the start of 2020, failing to score a fifty in his last 21 matches.

The New South Welshman wasn’t even offered an Indian Premier League contract this year, while compatriots Mitchell Marsh and David earned seven-figure deals.

But despite a recent dip in form, the New South Welshman is adamant he belongs in the national T20 side.

“I feel like when I’m playing good T20 cricket I’m in that team for sure,” he said.

“For the Sri Lanka tour I felt like I could go out and play with a lot more freedom and naturally and not have any hesitation in the back of my mind.

“If I want to smack someone for six first ball, I’m able to do that freely.”

Smith scored an unbeaten 48 in the series opener against Zimbabwe on Sunday afternoon to help Australia record a five-wicket victory in Townsville.

The second ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe gets underway at Riverway Stadium on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 9.40am AEST.

Originally published as Steve Smith raises serious concerns after Big Bash League Draft