Australian batsman Steve Smith has flagged Cricket Australia must do better to take care of its local players in the wake of the Big Bash League's inaugural international draft.
While a host of world-class names will arrive down under for BBL|12 after being selected through the draft, the new recruitment process failed to see several ideal targets land with any of the eight Australian domestic franchises.
The tournament's competitors in the UAE and South Africa were a major factor in the disappointing outcome, with richer deals meaning international stars may split their summer between the BBL and other competitions, leading to the likes of Faf Du Plessis, Andre Russell and Jason Roy among those not available for the entirety of the BBL.
The selection snubs come in the wake of Cricket Australia's battle to retain their own local talent for the competition, with Chris Lynn and David Warner also tied to overseas stints in the coming months.
The draft system has allowed the top international selections to earn $340,000 for the summer, while Australian squad members remain in the competition's salary cap structure.
The financial tug-of-war has seen Smith call for change to the BBL's payment mechanisms, revealing a number of Australian players have been left agitated.
"In terms of tournaments around the world, you have to look after your local players most importantly,” Smith told News Corp.
“Seeing some of the players who are coming out for big cash, I know a few of the local players that are big players are a little bit disappointed in terms of remuneration for the tournament and I think there’s going to have to be a way around that to keep your local players happy.
Australia plays against New Zealand in the world T20 cricket tournament on March 18 in Dharamsala.
/ AFP / SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)
“I’m sure it is something that is going to look at.”
Smith is yet to confirm his own future for the upcoming domestic window, with his former BBL club the Sydney Sixers awaiting a formal response to their tabled contract.
But with the lure of new international tournaments and lucrative deals abroad, Smith is still weighing up his options for 2022/23.
“In terms of me, I’m not sure," he said
"I’ve been offered a contract by the Sixers, but I’m just keeping my options open at the moment, there’s a few things I could possibly do. I’ll see what happens.
“Not playing in another tournament, but there’s a few options we will wait and see.”
Smith began his BBL career in helping lead the Sixers to the inaugural championship, stepping in as captain throughout the course of the campaign while offering his services as an all-rounder in 2011/12.
He would play a further two seasons with the New South Wales franchise while also sharing his calendar year in the IPL with the Pune Warriors.
Smith's meteoric rise to greatness at Test level ended his requirements at the domestic level, however Cricket Australia's new summer schedule has looked to allow the nation's best red and white-ball performers to feature more prominently in the BBL.
