BBL international players draft: Stars and Thunder shine, Scorchers stumble

By Henry Pasque
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The Big Bash League (BBL) International Players Draft has once again delivered surprises, as teams reshuffled their line-ups in the hopes of securing a winning season. With the third-ever draft now wrapped up, the spotlight falls on three teams in particular: the Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder, and Perth Scorchers. While the Stars and Thunder appear to have emerged stronger, the Scorchers’ choices have left fans scratching their heads. From bold picks to surprising omissions, the outcomes of this draft could significantly shape the fortunes of these teams as the new season looms. Here’s a look at who came out on top, and who may have missed the mark.

Melbourne Stars

Draft Selections: Ben Duckett, Tom Curran (Pre-signed), Usama Mir
Losses from last year: None

The Stars entered the draft with a strong position, holding picks 1, 9, 24, and 25. After the retirement of Nick Larkin, a gap opened in their top-order batting, and they moved swiftly to address it by selecting Ben Duckett with the first pick. Duckett, a dynamic top-order batter, had an outstanding season in The Hundred, averaging 67 with a strike rate of 171. His form and experience made him an obvious choice, and he is expected to fill the void left by Larkin.

Tom Curran was pre-signed with the ninth pick, adding depth to the Stars’ fast bowling options. Curran, with his four seasons of BBL experience and 51 wickets at an average of 20, brings a valuable skill set, particularly in death bowling. His move south from the Sixers could be pivotal for the Stars’ finals push.

With Rocchiccioli out of contract, the Stars were in desperate need of a specialist spinner. They filled this need with Usama Mir, a leg-spinner fresh from a dominant Pakistan Super League (PSL) campaign, where he took 24 wickets at an average of 15. His form and ability could be a game-changer for the Stars this season.

The Stars’ draft strategy was smart and efficient, addressing their immediate needs while bolstering their roster for what could be an excellent season for fans.

Sydney Thunder

Draft Selections: Lockie Ferguson, Sam Billings (Pre-signed), Sherfane Rutherford
Losses from last year: None

Coming off a disastrous season with only one win, Sydney Thunder needed to make bold moves to bounce back. They did just that, starting with the third pick, drafting Lockie Ferguson, a fiery quick from New Zealand. Ferguson boasts an impressive T20 international record, averaging 17 with 61 wickets, including 6 wickets in 3 T20Is against Australia at a remarkable economy rate of 5. His speed and accuracy could make him a key figure in the Thunder’s resurgence.

One area where the Thunder struggled last season was power hitting. The pre-signing of Sam Billings fills this gap perfectly. Billings, who has consistently been among the top batters in the competition, is a strong replacement for Alex Hales. His return to the Thunder is likely to boost the team’s middle-order strength.

The Thunder’s third pick was West Indian all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford. Known for his explosive batting, Rutherford has a strike rate of 150 in T20Is, and his experience in 143 T20 matches makes him a valuable addition. He is expected to fill the role left by Alex Ross and could provide the power hitting the team sorely missed last season.

With these key additions, the Thunder have addressed their weaknesses, making them a much stronger side. Their draft picks suggest a point to a stronger improvement from last year’s performance.

Perth Scorchers

Draft Selections: Finn Allen (Pre-signed), Matthew Hurst, Keaton Jennings
Losses from last year: Laurie Evans (Renegades)

The Perth Scorchers had a less successful draft. They lost a key player in Laurie Evans, who moved to the Renegades. Evans, a powerful middle-order batter, had been pivotal to the Scorchers’ success. To fill this void, the Scorchers pre-signed Finn Allen, a hard-hitting opener with a strong record in the MLC (Major League Cricket), where he scored 381 runs with a strike rate of 180. While Allen’s talent is undeniable, the Scorchers will rely heavily on him to deliver, particularly with the loss of middle-order firepower.

Their other picks, however, raised some eyebrows. The selection of Matthew Hurst, a young and relatively unknown player from England, seemed like a questionable decision when more experienced options, such as Jimmy Neesham or Colin de Grandhomme, were still available. Hurst has played just one season of The Hundred, averaging 24 with a strike rate of 160. While he has potential, his lack of experience may make it difficult for him to adjust to the demands of the Big Bash League.

The Scorchers’ final pick, Keaton Jennings, also raised concerns. At 32, Jennings lacks experience in franchise cricket outside of England, and it remains to be seen whether he can make an impact in the highly competitive BBL environment.

Despite having some of the best homegrown talent in the league, the Scorchers’ draft strategy seems underwhelming. Finn Allen will need to deliver consistently, and the lesser-known players will have to step up if the Scorchers are to maintain their status as one of the league’s top teams.

This year’s draft showcased a wealth of international talent, with new faces like Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and the return of Sam Billings. While some teams like the Stars and Thunder have improved their chances of making the finals, others, like the Scorchers, have left fans questioning their choices. The upcoming season will reveal whether these draft strategies pay off on the field.

KFC BBL|14 Draft Results:

  • Ben Duckett (Melbourne Stars, Platinum)
  • James Vince (Sydney Sixers, Platinum, Retention Pick)
  • Laurie Evans (Melbourne Renegades, Platinum)
  • Lockie Ferguson (Sydney Thunder, Platinum)
  • Shai Hope (Hobart Hurricanes, Platinum)
  • Jamie Overton (Adelaide Strikers, Platinum)
  • Colin Munro (Brisbane Heat, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Finn Allen (Perth Scorchers, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Tom Curran (Melbourne Stars, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Jacob Bethell (Melbourne Renegades, Gold)
  • Ollie Pope (Adelaide Strikers, Gold, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Chris Jordan (Hobart Hurricanes, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Sam Billings (Sydney Thunder, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Paul Walter (Brisbane Heat, Gold)
  • Pass (Perth Scorchers)
  • Akeal Hosein (Sydney Sixers, Gold, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Pass (Sydney Sixers)
  • Matthew Hurst (Perth Scorchers, Silver)
  • Pass (Brisbane Heat)
  • Fabian Allen (Adelaide Strikers, Silver)
  • Pass (Hobart Hurricanes)
  • Sherfane Rutherford (Sydney Thunder, Silver)
  • Tim Seifert (Melbourne Renegades, Gold, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Usama Mir (Melbourne Stars, Silver)
  • Pass (Melbourne Stars)
  • Pass (Melbourne Renegades)
  • Pass (Sydney Thunder)
  • Rishad Hossain (Hobart Hurricanes, Bronze)
  • Pass (Adelaide Strikers)
  • Tom Alsop (Brisbane Heat, Bronze)
  • Keaton Jennings (Perth Scorchers, Bronze)
  • Jafer Chohan (Sydney Sixers, Bronze)

Weber WBBL|10 Draft Results:

  • Sophie Ecclestone (Sydney Sixers, Platinum, Retention Pick)
  • Heather Knight (Sydney Thunder, Platinum, Retention Pick)
  • Laura Wolvaardt (Adelaide Strikers, Platinum, Retention Pick)
  • Danni Wyatt (Hobart Hurricanes, Platinum)
  • Deandra Dottin (Melbourne Renegades, Platinum)
  • Deepti Sharma (Melbourne Stars, Platinum)
  • Jemimah Rodrigues (Brisbane Heat, Platinum)
  • Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Chloe Tryon (Hobart Hurricanes, Gold)
  • Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars, Platinum, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Shabnim Ismail (Sydney Thunder, Platinum)
  • Pass (Adelaide Strikers)
  • Shikha Pandey (Brisbane Heat, Gold)
  • Amy Jones (Perth Scorchers, Gold)
  • Hemalatha Dayalan (Perth Scorchers, Silver)
  • Pass (Brisbane Heat)
  • Alice Capsey (Melbourne Renegades, Gold)
  • Chamari Athapaththu (Sydney Thunder, Gold, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Yastika Bhatia (Melbourne Stars, Silver)
  • Smriti Mandhana (Adelaide Strikers, Silver, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Pass (Sydney Sixers)
  • Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes, Gold, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Pass (Hobart Hurricanes)
  • Hollie Armitage (Sydney Sixers, Bronze)
  • Orla Prendergast (Adelaide Strikers, Bronze)
  • Pass (Melbourne Stars)
  • Georgia Adams (Sydney Thunder, Bronze)
  • Pass (Melbourne Renegades)
  • Nadeine De Klerk (Brisbane Heat, Bronze, Pre-Signed Player)
  • Pass (Perth Scorchers)
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