BBL15 draft: Why aren’t Australian domestic players part of the draft?

Australia’s cricket player union will push back against any attempt to expand the BBL Draft to include domestic players. But, one solution has been floated to the problem. Could it work?

The addition of an under-21 rookie list has been floated as an avenue to include domestic players in the Big Bash League draft for the first time.

However, Australian cricket’s players union remains steadfastly against the idea, confirming it would oppose any move for domestic cricketers to be added to the draft pool.

The BBL draft, first held in 2022, only features internationals.

Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said: “I definitely think we are moving towards that (domestic players being drafted).

“And, we’re getting to a situation where the tournament window is small enough, where we might get to a place where the money is good enough and the choice can be there and players, regardless of where they end up, would be OK with that.

“That’s probably the major hurdle I see at the moment.”

Copeland said a rookie draft – comprising uncontracted and under-19 state players – could be a starting point.

“Because one of the other things I think we sort of have an absence of is – the Cooper Connolly story – everyone else realised who he was in the BBL final,” he said.

“Everyone else in Australian cricket knew who he was six months earlier. What we need to do is become better at storytelling on who these next superstars are.

“I think that could essentially form part of that as well. Put their names up in lights. Under-21 draft or something like that alongside the internationals on the same day.”

Ricky Ponting watches on during a BBL Draft.

Adelaide Strikers coach Tim Paine said he favoured IPL-style retention rules, with clubs allowed to choose six players to remain on their lists.

Those not re-signed then become part of the IPL Mega Auction.

BBL big names D’Arcy Short, Tim David, Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye are out of contract and would have been available in such a scenario this year.

The BBL has tightened retention rules to encourage player movement in recent years, with clubs allowed to keep 10 of their 18 players.

However in contrast to the IPL, uncontracted players then have the choice of their next club.

“I think players in Australia, particularly local ones, want some consistency and some certainty in terms of where they’re going to play,” Paine said.

“They don’t want to be thrown around the country too much. Maybe given it’s the Big Bash and it’s six or seven weeks, maybe there’s an opportunity there for something like what happens in India.”

Tim Paine at last year’s BBL Draft.

Scorchers coach Adam Voges waits to make a selection.

Melbourne Stars high performance boss Clint McKay said he was aware of a push for the draft to incorporate local talent.

But he added: “But again how that looks, unsure. Obviously with the ACA and the players, (they) want to have, basically the players want to have their choice of where they want to go to. That’s where the difficult part is going to be.”

Trent Copeland wonders whether a rookie or under-21 draft would work.

ACA boss Paul Marsh said the BBL risked losing domestic talent if they were added to the draft pool.

“We are supportive of Cricket Australia’s ambition to make the Big Bash Leagues the best they can be,” Marsh said.

“A draft is a significant limitation on players’ freedom to contract and would be a barrier to the Big Bash Leagues attracting and retaining the best players.

“We also believe that the direct contracting model currently in place is optimal for fan connection.

“As we have seen this week with the exciting announcement of the Sydney Sixers’ signing of Babar Azam outside of the Overseas Player Draft, there are other contracting mechanisms which are more effective than a draft.”