September 1, 2024

England and New Zealand Players Lead First-Round Picks in BBL Draft

In the Big Bash League draft held on Sunday, September 1, England players were highly sought after, with 13 being chosen across four rounds. The only Asian players selected were Pakistan’s Usama Mir and Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain.

In the first round, four England players and three from New Zealand were picked. England opener Ben Duckett was the top pick, chosen by Melbourne Stars, followed by James Vince, retained by Sydney Sixers. Laurie Evans joined Melbourne Renegades, while Sydney Thunder chose New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson. Shai Hope was selected by Hobart Hurricanes, reuniting with Ricky Ponting, and Jamie Overton was picked by Adelaide Strikers. Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers retained their pre-signed players Colin Munro and Finn Allen.

In the second round, Melbourne Stars picked Tom Curran, another pre-signed player. England all-rounder Jacob Bethell was chosen by Melbourne Renegades, while Ollie Pope (Adelaide Strikers), Chris Jordan (Hobart Hurricanes), and Sam Billings (Sydney Thunder) were also selected. Perth Scorchers chose to pass in this round, and Sydney Sixers picked their pre-signed player Akeal Hosein.

Sydney Sixers, who had the first pick in the third round, decided to pass, as did Perth Scorchers. Adelaide Strikers roped in West Indian Fabian Allen while Hobart Hurricanes also passed. Sydney Thunder opted for Sherfane Rutherford while Melbourne Renegades named their pre-signed player Tim Seifert in this round. Melbourne Stars opted for Usama Mir.

Melbourne Stars, who started the fourth round, decided to pass, as did Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder. Hobart Hurricanes decided to pick Bangladesh legspinner Rishad Hossain as their last pick. Adelaide Strikers also passed while Brisbane Heat opted for Tom Alsop. Perth Scorchers signed Keaton Jennings, and the last pick of the draft Jafer Chohan, who was signed by Sydney Sixers.

First-Round Picks:

• Ben Duckett – Melbourne Stars
• James Vince – Sydney Sixers (Retention)
• Laurie Evans – Melbourne Renegades
• Lockie Ferguson – Sydney Thunder
• Shai Hope – Hobart Hurricanes
• Jamie Overton – Adelaide Strikers (Retention)
• Colin Munro – Brisbane Heat (Pre-signed)
• Finn Allen – Perth Scorchers (Pre-signed)

Second-Round Picks:

• Tom Curran – Melbourne Stars (Pre-signed)
• Jacob Bethell – Melbourne Renegades
• Ollie Pope – Adelaide Strikers (Pre-signed)
• Chris Jordan – Hobart Hurricanes (Pre-signed)
• Sam Billings – Sydney Thunder (Pre-signed)
• Paul Walter – Brisbane Heat
• Akeal Hosein – Sydney Sixers (Pre-signed)
• Perth Scorchers – Passed

Third-Round Picks:

• Matthew Hurst – Perth Scorchers
• Fabian Allen – Adelaide Strikers
• Sherfane Rutherford – Sydney Thunder
• Tim Seifert – Melbourne Renegades (Pre-signed)
• Usama Mir – Melbourne Stars
• Sydney Sixers, Brisbane Heat, and Hobart Hurricanes – Passed

Fourth-Round Picks:

• Rishad Hossain – Hobart Hurricanes
• Tom Alsop – Brisbane Heat
• Keaton Jennings – Perth Scorchers
• Jafer Chohan – Sydney Sixers
• Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, and Sydney Thunder – Passed

The 2024-25 Big Bash League begins on December 15 with the Perth Scorchers hosting Melbourne Stars. 44 matches will be played in the tournament, including the final on January 25, 2025.

Pooran and Carty Lead Knight Riders to Victory in Season Opener

Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 43-ball 97 and Keacy Carty’s unbeaten 73 off 35 led the Trinbago Knight Riders to a massive total of 250/4, marking the third-highest team score in Caribbean Premier League history. Despite St Kitts and Nevis Patriots scoring over 200, they were comfortably beaten.

After losing Jason Roy early, Sunil Narine provided a strong start for the Knight Riders during the powerplay. Narine scored 38 of the first 44 runs in the first four overs with four sixes and three fours before being dismissed by Anrich Nortje. Pooran then took charge, attacking aggressively on a favorable pitch. He launched his innings with three successive scoring shots of 4, 6, and 6 against Dominic Drakes, who ended up conceding 77 runs. Pooran reached a rapid 50 off just 21 balls and continued to dominate the innings.

In the 8th over, Keacy Carty joined Nicholas Pooran, and together they accelerated the scoring with aggressive hitting from both ends. Carty benefited from being dropped three times and formed a powerful 122-run partnership with Pooran. Pooran was dismissed for 97, just three runs short of a century, but Carty continued to lead the charge. His late hitting helped the Knight Riders reach a total of 250, the third-highest score in the tournament’s history.

In response, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots struggled early on. Joshua Little’s double strike in the second over dismissed both Andre Fletcher and Kyle Mayers. Evin Lewis and Mikyle Louis provided some resistance with a 54-run stand. Louis scored a half-century and added another 70 runs with Tristan Stubbs before both were out quickly. Sunil Narine also took two crucial wickets during this period, sealing the Patriots’ fate as they fell short by 44 runs.

Brief Scores:

• Trinbago Knight Riders: 250/4 (Nicholas Pooran 97, Keacy Carty 73*)
• St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: 206/8 (Mikyle Louis 56; Sunil Narine 2-24)
• Result: Trinbago Knight Riders won by 44 runs.