As the highly anticipated Big Bash Draft day draws near, a surge of exceptional bowling talent is poised to make their mark, elevating the excitement surrounding the event.
Among the latest notable names to throw their hats into the ring are South African speedster Shabnim Ismail and England’s renowned short-format specialist Chris Jordan. These additions to the nominations are set to bring fresh dynamics to the inaugural Weber WBBL draft, scheduled for September 3. This draft is expected to bring significant alterations to team rosters.
Shabnim Ismail, who ranks second and ninth in the ICC’s ODI and T20I rankings for fastest bowlers globally, respectively, has the option to be retained by the Melbourne Renegades in the forthcoming season. Joining her in the recent nominations are Jess Kerr (New Zealand), Pooja Vastrakar (India), and Kate Cross (England), all adding to the anticipation of the upcoming draft.
A pivotal decision awaits the Melbourne Renegades, as other international luminaries like Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), and Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka) are also eligible for retention. However, team regulations permit the retention of only one eligible international player, creating a challenging dilemma for the Renegades.
The list of confirmed WBBL|09 Draft nominees includes players from various cricketing nations such as England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. This assortment of players demonstrates the global appeal of the tournament and showcases the diversity of talent.
The enthusiasm surrounding the draft isn’t limited to the WBBL. The KFC BBL draft, set to take place on the same day, has also garnered excitement. Noteworthy nominations for this event include bowlers like Chris Jordan (Sixers), Akeal Hosein, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Renegades), who can be retained on draft day. The nominations list further includes free agents like Reece Topley (England) and Imran Tahir (South Africa), who are likely to draw interest from various clubs.
This influx of bowler-dominated nominations follows a recent surge of internationally acclaimed batters, including Faf du Plessis, Alex Hales, and Nicholas Pooran, who have stepped forward to showcase their skills.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, expressed his excitement about the growing list of nominations. He acknowledged the challenging decisions that clubs will face while selecting players and highlighted the appeal of overseas players’ participation in the league. With new names adding to the mix, cricket enthusiasts can anticipate an exhilarating and dynamic Big Bash season ahead.
By- Sahiba Suri