Steven Smith Among Marquee Players in Inaugural Canada T20 Draft

Banned Australian cricketer Steven Smith will be the part of an inaugural global Canada Twenty20 player draft. The talented Australian was banned from international cricket after his involvement in ball tampering scandal at Cape Town.

The following investigations meant former Australian skipper Smith was later found guilty of his acts. He was subsequently banned from playing international cricket for the national until next March.

On the other hand, star batsman Smith was also made ineligible to play domestic cricket within Australia.

But, the 28-year-old Western Australian is all set to feature in the inaugural edition of Global T20 in Canada this year.

The tournament will run through June 28 and July 15 in Toronto. The league will also feature some of the biggest names in the shortest format of the game.

Legendary Pakistani fast bowler and former Pakistan coach Waqar Younis will be helping Winnipeg Eagles.

While successful Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coach Tom Moody will be offering his services to Montreal Tigers. The league also features some other high profile names in coaching staff while it will have five franchises this year.

The tournament organisers already announced 10 different marquee players on May 24.

Moreover, apart from picking two marquee players for each team, the coaches should select at least 14 players for his team from the player pool.

The player draft will take place on June 3. There are about 1500 players who registered in the player pool for the auction.

Waqar Younis happy with his Involvement:

Pakistan’s legendary bowler Younis has expressed his happiness over his involvement in the league.

The coach has fondly remembered his travels to Toronto – to play cricket back in the 90’s.

He said, “I look forward to this experience. I have fond memories of playing in Toronto in the 1990s. I still remember the kind of excitement it created at that time and this time it should be no different. Global T20 has announced some magnificent names as marquee players. I am looking forward to the draft and making a well-balanced side for my franchise, Winnipeg Eagles.”

On the other hand, Moody sees this as an opportunity to advertise the game of cricket in North America.

He added,  “This is truly a wonderful opportunity for the game in Canada and North America. Delighted as one of the head coaches of the league. I will do everything possible in my role to support the success of this tournament.”

The following is the list of marquee players who will take part in inaugural Global T20 Canada.

Chris Gayle (West Indies), Andre Russell (West Indies), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Daren Sammy (West Indies), Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Steven Smith (Australia), Sunil Narine (West Indies), Chris Lynn (Australia), David Miller (South Africa), Dwayne Bravo (West Indies).