With the construction of the excitement around the fourth season of the T20 (ILT20), all eyes are now the main shift in the league approach to the team building – introducing player auction. For the first time since its foundation, the Sae Marquee Auction League, scheduled for September, will organize the Sae Marquee League, and will replace the design of the system used in the first three seasons.Auctions have become a signing element of the Global League T20, which offer drama, intrigues and promotional buzzing before the new season. Players’ prices, bidding war and team strategies often capture the attention of fans and media – and ILT20 is now ready to enter this area with a high share. The aim of the upcoming auction is not only to restore the composition of the team, but also to strengthen the ambition of the league to become one of the most basic cricket competitions.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe!But what is needed to organize such a complicated event – since the creation of the Players Fund to Logistics planning for multinational talent?Understand the mechanics and ambitions at the first auction ILT20. Timesofindia.com Dohnal Mike Fordham, head of cricket operations ILT20. In an exclusive interview, Fordham passed us through every detail – from the right to the match after the development of players and SAE. Excerpts:
Head of cricket operations ILT20 Mike Fordham
What was the thought process by introducing auction format after three seasons of designs?It was for several reasons. Most players were originally signed on a three -year contract and we are now at the end of this cycle. So we felt it was a good opportunity to refresh things and try something new. We also wanted to open more opportunities to new players. One of our goals with ILT20 is to be the most global cricket league in the world. We felt that auction is a good way to attract talent from different parts of the world and give teams a chance to transform their units.This year, the teams could maintain or apply directly to eight players – including the combination of international and SAE players. All six teams of these slots filled. They will complete their units in the auction and can also later add two signatures of the surrogate characters. Some teams have already started this process. The auction will also serve as a launchpad for the season four, generate buzzing and gives fans something they would talk about. It is scheduled for September, before the start of 2 December league.
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What happens behind the scenes to streamline the auction process, especially around the pool building and the match with the availability of the player?Many preparations are involved and we have a complete team that manages it. First, we will launch an online registration portal for players and agents who sign up for the auction. This will remain open about five to six weeks, which leads to the end of August. Once it closes, we will complete the player’s fund.Legal documents and contracts are also being prepared. Logistically, the auction will be a big event – the selection of the location, the top auctioneer and the specialized auction software are processed. We work with a leading software company to ensure smoothly. People will travel to Dubai for an event, so all related logistics also take care of. We are convinced that our team will deliver.Will the dynamics of the auction of law (RTM) affect? And how do the signatures of the surplus characters work?Among the auctions there are signatures of surrogate characters. Each team can sign two other players for a 21-member group at any time after a direct signature window. Some teams began to sign the wildcard characters; Others could wait closer to the season.RTM applies only to UAE players. We have been running a development tournament for the last two years and this year’s edition will happen just before the auction. Each franchise has a development team – desert Vipers, Dubai capitals, etc. If the UAE player enters the auction from the development group and is on offer, the original franchise will have the final right to the match. This helps to strengthen investments in local talents and gives development scratches a tangible reward for care players.Will ITT20 increase the number of SAE or associated players in XI players?Yes, this season we will order two SAE players and one associated player in XI. This associated player can be from the UAE or other associated nation, such as Namibia, Scotland, the Netherlands, Nepal or the US.Cricket grows rapidly and we want to support this global expansion. Currently, cricket is a top global sport, but in fact it is really serious in a dozen countries. We want ILT20 to serve as a platform for developing nations. Ideally, in five years, we would like to see more Arazie and associated players at the start of XIS, while the overall standards of playing continue to grow.What are the unique challenges of the organization Ilt20 auction Compared to other leagues?The auction structure is generally similar to leagues, but ILT20 had some unique challenges. Until now, we haven’t had a clearly defined window due to overlapping leagues during January. This season we moved it forward – starting in early December and ending in early January – to reduce conflicts.Although the window is not entirely clear, availability has improved, which should strengthen talent. The auction should take place smoothly, but the uniqueness of the league lies in its international attraction. Players enjoy arrival in UAE, especially during the holidays. Great weather, world level facilities and families with children make it attractive. We use this to create a strong product and auction is an important part of this journey.
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Will teams focus more on the availability or dynamics of the group during the auction?It’s a mix. Ideally, teams want players to be available throughout the season. However, if the world -class player is only available for him, they could still sign him to get a strong start.For example, Sharjah warriors signed Tim David, one of the best in the world of T20 dough. Before joining Big Bash League in Australia, he will play the first half. Teams will replace such players in the middle of the season if necessary.International commitments – as well as the England -Australia (Ashes) test series – also affect availability. Teams are used to driving this and franchise cricket works with this flexibility. Players are used to fly in and out in a short time.What can fans expect from auction? Will it be lively streaming or offering new innovations?We are working on plans to stream live auction on our digital platforms. For fans, it should be an exciting event to watch, how the teams complete their units. There will probably be surprised and new elements.RTM for UAE players will be an interesting dynamics. In addition, we introduce players from other Gulf countries, which will make the tournament more Pan-Middle Eastern. Overall, we hope that the auction provides something fresh for ILT20 and the reason for fans to stay engaged as soon as the season’s accumulation began.How did the ITT20 contribute to the growth of UAE cricket, especially in the development of players and infrastructure?The development of local players was the main goal. Every league in any sport must build a strong local base – it can’t just be about foreign stars. SAE has long have had a talented swimming pool, partly because of their diverse population. Now we see lasting progress.Take Aayan Khan for example. Since the first season he has been part of Gulf Giants and has worked closely with the best professionals like James Vince and Chris Jordan under Andy Flower. This exposure is invaluable.Each franchise has at least four SAE players per team – a total of 24 in the whole league – working with coaches like Tom Moody, James Foster and Dwayne Bravo. This increased their performance. The recent victory of SAE over Bangladesh in the bilateral series speaks of volumes. Players like Muhammad Wasem (Mi Emirates) are now awarded ICC Player of the Month. This progress is directly associated with the Ilt20 environment.
