The biggest hits from Mendi T20 Tropical Big Bash draft night
THE idea was a one-minute draft timer but all 48 Mendi T20 Tropical Big Bash selections were delivered inside 20 rapid-fire minutes.
With the picks racing by at a fever pitch the pressure on strong preparation to fall back on was the difference between assembling a championship-worthy squad and not.
These were the draft’s biggest hits.
EV2 Lions
The No.1 overall pick was a slam dunk with Team of the Year allrounder Lachlan Ford poached from Wildcatz, while the selection of another TOTY player in bowler Kyle Dearness in the third round was arguably the biggest steal of the draft.
The Lions lost Damien Meek to the Bulls in the sixth round but struck back immediately to grab his B Grade TOTY opening partner Ieuan Harker. A+ draft.
Reldas Ringers
The Ringers scored their assistant coach of last season Sam Collingwood in the first round and another bucketload of returning players from their last campaign.
Both Sadler brothers and Adami brothers were united while the shrewd pick of C Grade wicketkeeper, batter and bowler extraordinaire Heath O’brien in the fifth round could prove a league-winner.
Wildcatz
Six A Graders from six to open the draft and TOTY picks from B Grade (Gaurav Patel) and C Grade (Dylan Bycroft) were a strong start for the defending champions.
Gold City Bulls
Bold decisions to retain Sam Lowry and Travis Busch despite limited availability put pressure on getting their top two picks right.
Cairns stars Brenton Edwards and Andrew Phelps could make a big splash alongside Christian Payne, Townsville’s deadliest U17 bowler of 2021-22.