LIONS TOP IN DRAFT
LUCK of the draw has handed defeated grand finalists Lions the first overall pick of the 2022/23 Mendi T20 Tropical Big Bash player draft on Monday night.
Team captain Chris Stanger has retained Brothers star Craig Mcelligott and Sub Parks’ Trent Walsh from last year’s side, which fell to Wildcatz by 24 runs in the decider.
The competition can’t be won on draft night but it can certainly be lost through careless drafting.
Each of the competition’s four sides will keep three players from the 2021/22 season – a captain and two marquee players – with another nine players to be added through the draft.
Getting the right players on to the pitch on Monday evening will be essential to knocking off the defending champion Wildcatz.
That begins with the top pick, used last year on Wests’ Sam Lowry.
“There’s a few different options,” Stanger said.
“We place a lot of value in having a good all-rounder, so if you can pick up someone who can bat and bowl in the earlier rounds it gives you a bit more flexibility later in the draft.
“It’s definitely helpful having that first pick because you can sort out ahead of the draft who you’re going to pick first. It’s a bit of an advantage, but in saying that, we’ll draft our second pick after every other team so it all balances out.”
Stanger said the Lions selection panel of team owner John Short and himself had crafted a list ranking all available batters and bowlers.
That list will come in handy with one minute between selections, and a break between draft rounds, putting pressure on teams to choose wisely.
An early run on all-rounders seems certain, with Wildcatz captain Andrew Boyle admitting his side would also target versatile players in the opening rounds.
“Early on we’ll probably be going for all-rounders, just to give us a bit more flexibility,” Boyle said.
“We retained both our key allrounders (Dan Gartrell and Herbie Heuir), so we think those will be pretty key (to add) in the draft.”
Adam Zabala’s Reldas side have retained batters Chris Gartrell and Jamie Heit, both of Sub Parks, so have an immediate need to add to their pace bowling attack.
The Bulletin will cover draft night live from the Rydges Hotel from 6.30pm Monday.