While the Strikers are almost certain to match any bid by Melbourne Stars to use their No.1 draft pick on the world’s premier T20 bowler Khan, it’s what unfolds throughout the platinum and gold selection battles that will shape this year’s BBL season.
Will teams only draft players able to commit to the full BBL schedule, or will we see clubs gamble on short term players that can help set their season up before heading to rival T20 leagues elsewhere?
CODE Sports cricket experts have done the hard yards and analysed every clubs’ current roster, what your team needs and who just might be the best choice when the draft takes place on Sunday night.
ADELAIDE STRIKERS
Finish last year: 7th
Draft picks: 2, 10, 23, 26
Current Squad: Wes Agar, James Bazley, Cameron Boyce, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Travis Head, Henry Hunt, Thomas Kelly, Chris Lynn, Ben Manenti, D’Arcy Short, Matt Short, Henry Thornton
The one player they must draft: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) It’s like the retention pick was created for Adelaide and Rashid Khan. He is their cult hero, and it feels wrong just thinking about him playing in any other colour. He’s the only platinum player the Strikers are retention-eligible for and he’s the only one they need. As Strikers’ GM Tim Nielsen said: “It’s not just about this year because the retention carries on…as soon as you give up the opportunity to have him, other people will definitely jump in.”
What they really need to achieve in the draft: The pieces are there for the Strikers, but they just need some consistent star power to get them over the line. Naseem Shah could be an exciting pace option with Peter Siddle having left and would partner well with Henry Thornton, but their bowling options are pretty well stocked. With Head and Carey likely on Australian duty, they need dependable batters, ideally, who can also contribute some overs. Jamie Overton had a great season in The Hundred, while all-rounder Adam Hose could come into consideration once more. “It’s more or a middle-order batting that we’re looking at for the balance of our side,” Nielsen said. And with Khan not available for the entire tournament, the focus will be on getting other players with as large an availability as possible.
Key draft options: They badly needed an all-rounder last summer and plumped for Colin de Grandhomme, but that isn’t an issue after the arrival of James Bazley. Peter Siddle has been their man at the death for several summers and after his switch back to Victoria, they need an experienced late-over bowler. Someone like Reece Topley would really complement their attack but I think their ultimate signing would be Naseem Shah. Imagine an attack with him upfront and at the death and Rashid Khan piling on pressure in the middle overs. The other need is an experienced middle order player. Thomas Kelly looks a talent, but they could use someone to keep the momentum rolling if the Shorts and Chris Lynn launch in the power play. They might see Adam Hose as that man but I think their dream signing would be someone like Colin Munro to bat No.4. I suspect he’ll be retained by the Heat though.
BRISBANE HEAT
Finish last year: 2nd
Draft picks: 7, 15, 18 and 31
Current Squad: Xavier Bartlett, Josh Brown, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Swepson (two spots to fill)
The one player they must draft: Colin Munro – might not be the biggest name but the Kiwi veteran provides the effervescent Heat batting line-up with both stability and strike power at the top. Another calm leader and old head who should be available for the bulk of the tournament.
What they really need to achieve at the draft: At least one other quality bat who is available for most of the regular season to bolster the Brisbane rookies, and a unicorn. The gun allrounder or death bowler who can take wickets, defend totals and produce runs at the end if asked to bat . . .which will be on the watch list of all clubs.
Key draft options: Bowling all-rounder: Options: Platinum – Tom Curran (Sixers have retention rights) Other rounds – Bas de Leede, George Garton, Jason Holder, Wayne Parnell, Sikhander Raza, Jamie Overton.
Top-order batter (at least for early in tournament). Platinum (Harry Brook, Quinton de Kock, Dawid Malan). Later rounds – Max O’Dowd, Shan Masood.
HOBART HURRICANES
Finish last year: 6th
Draft picks: 3, 11, 22, 27
Current Squad: Iain Carlisle, Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis, Peter Hatzoglou, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Mac Wright
The one player they must draft: Having a genuine allrounder like Shadab Khan worked well for the Hurricanes last season and are likely to bid for him again.
What they really need to achieve at the draft: Batting all-rounder (For No.6/7 finisher role). Platinum: Shadab Khan (likely retention pick). Other rounds – Tom Abell, Corey Anderson, David Weise. The ‘Canes have a strong local cast but need more from their overseas imports.
Key draft options: Batting all-rounder (For No.6/7 finisher role). Platinum: Shadab Khan (likely retention pick). Other rounds – Tom Abell, Corey Anderson, David Weise.
Fast bowler (to support Ellis/Meredith). Platinum: Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Haris Rauf (would be a dream signing but I expect Stars to match an early bid). Other rounds – Josh Little, Richard Gleeson, Saqib Mahmood, Naseem Shah, Josh Tongue.
PERTH SCORCHERS
Finish last year: 1st (Champions)
Draft picks: 8, 16, 17, 32
Current Squad: Ashton Turner (capt), Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye
The one player they must draft: Phil Salt. An elbow injury to Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock being unavailable for the second half of the tournament could force the Scorchers to look to England again. They need to replace the important runs of Cam Bancroft and they always prefer players who will be in the tournament as long as possible. Phil Salt is available as a retention pick and strikes the ball as well as anyone. He hit 86 off 32 balls in his one major contribution during The Hundred.
What they really need to achieve in the draft: The success of the Scorchers has been their ability to keep their core group together, which they’ve done again for the most part. But no Bancroft and no Hatzoglou is a big blow. Additionally, they’re now considering options if Mitch Marsh has a Test-filled summer after his Ashes breakthrough. But loyalty is front of mind for Scorchers general manager of high performance, Kade Harvey: “There are some players there that have been good for us that we’d be really keen to have back.” So expect the likes of Stephen Eskinazi and Tymal Mills to come into consideration, especially the latter if they want some pace-bowling cover again.
Key draft options: Perth is a lot like the Sixers in that they like to be loyal to their players and imports. They wanted to have BBL11 hero Laurie Evans return last season before his drug ban and he should be available later in the draft to fill a middle-order role. Adam Lyth was underwhelming so I wouldn’t suspect he returns, but Faf du Plessis would be a great retention pick after losing Kurtis Patterson and Cameron Bancroft. Phil Salt is the other option if his availability is going to be better than du Plessis. Losing Peter Hatzoglou to the Hurricanes leaves a hole in their spin stocks, but maybe it’s Cooper Connolly who provides the support for Ashton Agar instead. Based on their draft history and loyalty to players, I would not be surprised if the Scorchers went for du Plessis, Tymal Mills and Evans. They could do with an extra frontline spinner though in case anything happens to Agar or he’s taken away for international duties.
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Finish last year: Fourth (third after regular season)
Draft picks: 4, 12, 21, 28
Current Squad: Nic Maddinson (capt), Aaron Finch, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Jonathan Wells, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle, Will Sutherland
The one player they must draft: A foiled trade move for Matthew Wade, combined with the decision to offload Sam Harper in the play for Zampa, has left the Renegades without a clear wicketkeeper. There are bigger names available but Joe Clarke has done an excellent job for the Stars in recent seasons and should be available for most of the tournament.
What they really need to achieve at the draft: A ‘keeper – ideally one who can bat at the top of the order – is a must, so Quinton de Kock is an option in addition to Clarke. Spinner Akeal Hosein did an excellent job last summer so would be tempting to complement Zampa given the Renegades are unlikely to see much of Lyon this summer.
Key Draft Options: They committed heavily to spin with success in the draft last season and won’t get access to Nathan Lyon until late in the tournament. Akael Hosein was more impressive than Mujeeb so I suspect that might be where their retention pick goes. The biggest hole in the Gades’ line-up is the No.6/7 power hitter who can bowl. They haven’t really had one since Nabi in his pomp. I think someone like Corey Anderson suits them perfectly. Englishman Tom Abell and Wayne Parnell would be other options for this spot, as would Sikhander Raza if the Gades wanted a spin-bowling all-rounder. I’d love to see them sign an extra international quick too. Someone like Reece Topley jumps out off the list and he’s been with the Gades before.
MELBOURNE STARS
Finish last year: Eighth
Draft picks: 1, 8, 24, 25
Current Squad: Tom Rogers, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Joe Burns, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Glenn Maxwell (capt), Hilton Cartwright, Nick Larkin, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Harper, Mark Steketee, Scott Boland
The one player they must draft: In an ideal world it would be Rashid Khan and they will almost certainly force the Strikers’ hand here, however realistically the best spinning option may be Mujeeb Ur Rahman, on whom a bid can be matched by the Renegades. The Renegades have Zampa though, so spin is less likely to be their priority.
What they really need to achieve at the draft: With Maxwell back from his broken leg, things don’t look quite as dire for last summer’s wooden spooners. With Zampa gone, spin is clearly a priority – they failed in a bid for Matt Kuhnemann – all the better if it’s someone who can also hit down the order. Power play wickets are always in demand so Haris Rauf is likely to tempt again although availability is a concern.
Key draft options: Haris Rauf with pick 1 in the draft should ensure the Stars are able to use their retention pick on English keeper-bat Joe Clarke. Although there’s an argument they might not need him after landing Sam Harper in a swap deal with Adam Zampa. So much might be dictated by how much Marcus Stoinis is going to be bowling. Zampa was the Stars’ frontline bowler for so much of BBL12 so you would assume a frontline spinner will be a priority. They won’t get Rashid Khan but there’s no shortage of other options – Qais Ahmad, Imran Tahir and Imad Wasim stand out while Izharulhaq Naveed was impressive for the Sixers last season – Sydney is likely to have burned its retention pick on someone else. Hayden Walsh Jr is another option. They have been a middling team in the middle order in recent summers and unless Marcus Stoinis is going to bat 4, 5 or 6, they would love a player like Nicholas Pooran to launch at the back end. It was only in the US league, but his 137 not out off 55 balls was something else.
SYDNEY SIXERS
Finish last year: 2nd regular season, losing challenger finalists
Draft picks: 6, 14, 19, 30
Current Squad: Moises Henriques (capt), Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Steve O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk
The one player they must draft: Tom Curran. Sixers face a tough choice about who to retain out of the English all-rounder and England’s top order batting ace James Vince. Curran might give the Sixers the better overall balance following Dan Christian’s retirement.
What they really need to achieve at the draft: If the Sixers do decide to let stalwart Vince go to another club, it would mean they would need someone to bat at the top with Josh Phillipe. Tom Banton (Heat retention option), Joe Clarke (Stars retention option) could become prospects. Someone like Imad Wasim might complement their team nicely and slot in at No.7 behind Curran. England quick Chris Jordan is odds on to return if he stays available long enough in the draft as the Sixers have been very loyal to past imports.
Key draft options: I think they go for Curran over Vince as their retention pick after Dan Christian’s retirement. I would not be surprised if the Heat then make a move for Vince. That would mean they would need someone to bat at the top with Josh Phillipe, unless they plan to back Jack Edwards. Later options – Tom Banton (Heat retention option), Joe Clarke (Stars retention option). I also think someone like Imad Wasim would complement their team nicely and slot in at No.7 behind Curran. Wouldn’t be surprised if they draft Chris Jordan again as they have been very loyal to past imports.
SYDNEY THUNDER
Finish last year: Fourth regular season, losing eliminator finalists
Draft picks: Pick 5, 13, 20, 29
Current Squad: Jason Sangha (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Ollie Davies, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner
The one player they must draft: There has been some mail floating around that perhaps the Thunder might not retain England opening batting star Alex Hales because they know they have David Warner and Cameron Bancroft locked in as a top order pairing. But South African all-rounder Rilee Russouw was underwhelming last year so Hales still stands out as their best retention pick.
What they really need to achieve at the draft: Thunder could do with another frontline quick so someone like Saqib Mahmood could be a prime target. Mahmood played for the Thunder two years ago and went OK. someone like Richard Gleeson would suit the Thunder’s needs with the new ball or left-arm Pakistan quick Junaid Khan – the latter has a very impressive record spanning 172 T20 matches.
Key draft options: Rilee Russouw was underwhelming so I suspect they would use their retention pick to grab Alex Hales as a platinum player. They have a really well-balanced squad but could do with an extra frontline quick, especially after losing Brendan Doggett who played 12 games last season. I could see them making a play for Saqib Mahmood who played for the Thunder two seasons ago and enjoyed success. They also have retention rights to Fazalhaq Farooqi but his exit was controversial so he seems unlikely. Maybe someone like Richard Gleeson would suit with the new ball or left-arm Pakistan quick Junaid Khan – the latter has a very impressive record spanning 172 T20 matches.
