The inaugural BBL draft has seen drama aplenty in the ‘platinum’ player pool, with a host of leading names including Faf du Plessis and Andre Russell left on the table.
The former Proteas captain had been used regularly by Cricket Australia in early marketing for both the draft and the upcoming tournament, and was expected to be one of the most prized selections.
However, presumably due to concerns over his availability, with du Plessis set to miss the later stages of the BBL to play in the Abu Dhabi T10 competition, none of the eight teams were willing to pick the South African veteran or T20 icon Russell, who is in a similar situation.
The snubs are a blow to CA’s hopes of revitalising the tournament with a host of leading names in international cricket, having seen ratings and public interest in the BBL wane in the past few seasons.
The Melbourne Stars’ bid to land Rashid Khan has also been thwarted as England’s Liam Livingstone became the No.1 Platinum pick in the BBL draft after being chosen by the Melbourne Renegades.
The Stars used their prized second pick to nominate Khan in the Platinum round, but the Adelaide Strikers exercised their retention pick to keep the star Afghanistan spinner.
“I was thinking of Darryl Kerrigan, ‘tell him he’s dreaming’,” Strikers coach Jason Gillespie joked.
“Our plan was always to retain Rashid. Wonderful player, wonderful person. He’s been brilliant for our franchise over a number of years, and absolutely delighted to have him back.”
The Stars turned to plan B to select star New Zealand paceman Trent Boult.
The Brisbane Heat used pick No.3 to lure Englishman Sam Billings, with the Sydney Thunder deciding against using their retention pick.
Sixers coach Greg Shipperd overlooked international stars such as Andre Russell, Faf du Plessis and Kieron Pollard to select Chris Jordan at pick No.4
“He’s cool, calm and collected in the big moments,” Shipperd told Fox Sports.
“We’re chasing high-end pace and a death bowler, so he fitted the bill perfectly for us.”
The Perth Scorchers pulled off a big shock when they passed on their No.6 Platinum pick.
“Availability is a real key for us,” Scorchers coach Adam Voges said.
“We know what type of player we want, the skill set we want, and we feel like there’s some good options in the gold round for us.
“We love guys coming back who have played for us before, and fit into our group really well.”
The Sydney Thunder went with David Willey at No.7 given he will be available for the entire tournament.
Hobart had the last pick in the Platinum round and they went with Pakistan’s Shadab Khan.
“He’s a high-class international leg spinner, he’s very handy with the bat as well, and he’s a gun in the field,” Hurricanes head of strategy Ricky Ponting said.
“So we think we’re bringing in a three-dimensional cricketer.
“It looks like he’s got reasonable availability.”
Renegades star Aaron Finch was thrilled his team landed Livingstone.
“It was a no-brainer for us,” Finch said.
“What he offers with the bat is exceptional. And what he delivers in the field and with the ball, being able to bowl legspin and offspin, I think he’s a beautiful fit for the Renegades.”
Each player selected in the platinum category earns $340,000.
Du Plessis, Jason Roy, Pollard, Russell and Dwayne Bravo were all overlooked in the Platinum round, most likely due to availability issues.
BBL PLATINUM ROUND PICKS
1 – Melbourne Renegades – Liam Livingstone (England)
2 – Melbourne Stars – Trent Boult (New Zealand)
3 – Brisbane Heat – Sam Billings (England)
4 – Sydney Sixers – Chris Jordan (England)
5 – Adelaide Strikers – Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) retention pick
6 – Perth Scorchers – Passed
7 – Sydney Thunder – David Willey (England)
8 – Hobart Hurricanes – Shadab Khan (Pakistan)
Micko
Roar Rookie
Just been announced that CDG quit his NZ contract to pursue the BBL (& other T20) opportunities.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It like the different rooms at a strip club
Chum
Roar Rookie
I'm really enjoying what we've seen from the cricketers running the cricket teams, as opposed to the money men running Cricket Australia. They're picking teams to win games of cricket, as opposed to winning a few more temporary fans for a game or two. For a format that is supposed to preserve cricket's relevance into the next century, the money men running cricket boards seem very keen on squeezing all the novelty out of it in the first few decades of existence. Surely a competition with a deliberate approach towards scarcity, importance of making the most from relatively little would be in keeping with the limited overs format. A competition running between Boxing Day to Australia Day - every team plays every other team once only, 28 games + finals - swap each year who plays who at home - would mean every game is important, every ball counts, and would also drive spectators to consider gee there's only 3-4 games I can get to, maybe I should go and see one as opposed to blimey there's 18 games available the next 2 months, I guess I'll get to one of them at some stage and then doesn't. Won't ever happen, but it'd be nice. Instead we get 13th December to 4th February, 56 games and 5 finals spread across free to air and pay tv, so most people can't watch the whole series anyway. But this shot across CA's bows from the cricket people running teams on the field is most welcome.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
"Suffering catfish Batman, the Riddler has us this time" _"No so fast Boy Wonder, he who skips first will make a Olympian given time"_
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
Say what you want, but i am personally mighty impressed with the attitude of the Australian teams. It would not have been the case if it were here .
Jeff
Roar Rookie
IDK what the F if I meant my that Thai translation remark. Just trying to keep the conversation going as the candle wick burns down to its base. Think I may be extinguished for the night. I have nothing further to add. Check mate :thumbdown:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Does it translate into Thai?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Watch Monty Python Oscar Wilde skit.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Gosh. I had actually been thinking all along about the SE Asian bats. So you've stumped me there.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But my point is that is it the African Bat or the European Bat ..... that's my point.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
You need to start meeting other types of bat guano. Some of them appear in the most mysterious of places. Lights off though.
JGK
Roar Guru
Maybe you need to drive a better EV.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Clearly wrong. I’m a car and bike affcianado. I’ve worked full-time in the car industry for over 20 years before l became a teacher. And even then I still kept my hand in. Yes electric cars perform brilliantly but they are also brilliantly boring. ——— It’s like driving a fridge or a washing machine. The Automotive industry is eating itself and are now the producers of the biggest whitegoods you’ll ever own. ——- They’re as boring as bat guano.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Yes
Rellum
Roar Guru
Clearly not.
JGK
Roar Guru
Have you driven an electric car?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Platinum or gold? Pfft. Hi-ho Silver, away!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Some of those Platinum 'stars' are not that good. Can you really justify playing Russell or Bravo ahead of Hardie, Wildermuth or Ellis? The Aussie boys are better.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Geez, Neesham will be kicking himself that he's THAT unappealing to T20 franchises! :laughing:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
A bit like cars going electric. There's no reason for different car brands now. It's all a blanc la mange of boredom.