With the top pick in the 2019 WBBL international draft, the Hobart Hurricanes have struck gold. The Hurricanes won the lottery system in the selection order, in spite of the fact that the odds were stacked against them.
The four clubs who missed the playoffs the previous season—the Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Renegades, and Melbourne Stars—were given the top picks in the weighted lottery, with the playoff teams coming in second and third. Having placed last year, the Melbourne teams had a better chance of selecting first overall, but the Hurricanes emerged victorious.
After finishing sixth in 2023–24, the Hurricanes now have a chance to bolster their roster with a disruptive foreign player if they win the first pick. They selected Shabnim Ismail and Bryony Smith, who are both quite strong, via the draft last year. Lizelle Lee was also nominated directly.
For any team developing their draft strategy, the order of selections is crucial: Alistair Dobson
The importance of the draft order was emphasised by Alistair Dobson, general manager of Cricket Australia’s Big Bash Leagues.
“The order of selections is vital for each club as they build their draft strategy, which is even more intriguing this year with the addition of the pre-signed, multi-year internationals,” he was quoted by Cricket Australia as saying.
This season, a few modifications have been made to the draft regulations. Before the draft, clubs can now sign up to four international players—including possible replacements—to multi-year contracts. With players like Amelia Kerr, who was previously signed by the Sydney Sixers, the pre-draft option takes the place of the direct nominations from the previous season.
There will be four price bands in the draft again: platinum (worth $110,000), gold ($90,000), silver ($65,000), and bronze (worth 40,000). This will enable clubs to plan their selections according to their demands and budget.
The Hurricanes are in a strong position with the first pick as the WBBL gets ready for a 40-game regular season.
“Last year’s number one selection for the Thunder, Marizanne Kapp, is an icon of the competition and we look forward to seeing who Hobart recruit,” Dobson said.
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