Cricket Australia abandons plans for inaugural BBL international draft
COVID-19 has ruined Cricket Australia’s plans of jazzing up the BBL this year with a first-ever player draft.
Cricket Australia has been forced to abandon its plans to rejuvenate the Big Bash with an international player draft this summer.
It was hoped the daring concept would help the BBL to rekindle its glory days of luring some of the biggest names back Down Under, but the Covid-19 pandemic has forced organisers to pull the pin on an inaugural draft for another 12 months.
Despite the blow, CA remains hopeful that overseas stars will still be able to gain government exemptions to fly in for this season, only it will be under the old model of clubs recruiting their own players rather than via the box-office drama of a central draft.
Cricket bosses are committed to a draft for the following season and have high hopes of making it a major television event to help build hype and interest, having seen it succeed for the IPL in India and England’s The Hundred.
“The BBL has a history of innovation and we’ve considered a number of options to add to the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season,” said BBL boss Alistair Dobson.
“Our commitment to attracting the best overseas players to the BBL is as high as ever and requires a tailored approach in today’s world, while a draft remains something we will strongly consider for future seasons.”
Some clubs won’t be disappointed that the draft hasn’t got off the tarmac for this season, with the initial proposal hardly greeted with universal support.
Franchises such as Adelaide feel the draft undermines the hard work it has poured into building relationships with overseas stars. Rashid Khan has become a crowd favourite at Adelaide Oval, but a draft would open up the prospect he could be stolen by another franchise.
However, Cricket Australia is determined not to allow the self-interest of clubs get in the way of the bigger picture.
Executives at rights holders Channel 7 and Fox Sports, as well as CA bosses, are adamant the bigger the names the better and they feel the draft is the way to help double-down on attracting the stars of the game.
One potential roadblock for getting overseas stars into Australia for this summer under Covid-19 restrictions is whether or not government exemptions would allow for families of players to also enter the country.
Getting overseas players out for this season will be more important than ever, given the possibility that more Australian stars will be unavailable to feature in the Big Bash due to clashing Test and ODI commitments.
The Daily Telegraph
Cricket journalist dumped by SEN over social media posts
Veteran broadcaster and former cricket writer at The Australian Peter Lalor has been dumped by SEN over “differing views” on conflict in the Middle East.
From the scrap heap to the top: Head’s road to AB Medal
There have been plenty of setbacks in Travis Head’s career, but he has ascended to three-format superstar. He talks to DANIEL CHERNY about the road to the top.