Shane Zahner
The third installment of the much anticipated Bendigo Bank Big Bash auction has been run and won with all six franchises completing their squads which they are hoping will take out this year’s tournament.
This year is an expanded six team competition which includes three brand new teams, the Cochrane Real Estate Raptors, Carney’s Feed Store Cattle Dogs and the All Day Electrical Lightning to go along with foundation clubs the O’Brien Plumbing Bushrangers, Calton Hill Dental Kings and Gympie Motor Group Mustangs.
All up, this gives 84 players a chance at competing in this year’s tournament.
Going through each teams big signings, the Raptors splashed out more than a third of their $20,000 salary on big hitting Gold player Kuchu Ekanayake for $7500.
They also forked out big bucks for Steven Ledger ($4900) and Mat Bruton ($4000) whilst also picking up Sam Lang for $1300 and Corey Perren for $1000.
The Bushrangers spread their money out a little bit more with Alex Dunn ($4600) and Jarrod Officer ($4000) their major signings.
Ash Renouf ($2600), Tom White ($2100) and Nathan Roderick ($2100) were also some of their major pick-ups.
New team the Cattle Dogs picked up a few big name players with $7500 dished out for travelling pair Blaine Schloss and Ben Baker and also spending up on a few big guns from Murgon in Harry Sippel ($5200) and Brenton Polzin ($2800).
The last of the new franchises the Lightning also went all in on a travelling pair spending $7500 on Sam Pearson and Mitch Parsons.
Adam Hart and local stalwart Chris Hughes were both picked up for $3000 each along with Jason Woods for $1800.
The Kings decided to go for proven Big Bash guns from previous seasons Michael Wostear for $4600 along with Joel Owen and Andy Batten for $4000 and $3400 respectively.
Tyler Heness ($1700) and Nick Burford ($1500) were also drafted into the Kings squad on the night.
Finally last year’s champions the Mustangs made some very handy pick-ups splashing out $6600 for Blake Maher and $6400 for Callum Stitt.
Local Gympie quick bowler Oliver Bembrick was picked up for $3100 while travelling pair Keiren Gibbs and Mitchell Small were also brought into the Mustangs squad for $2600.
So, with all the squads now locked in, we wait eagerly for game one which will get underway with a big double header on Saturday 8 July with the Cattle Dogs taking on the Lightning followed by the Mustangs taking on the Raptors.