Twenty local players have been kept by their franchises for the second edition of the Bermuda Smash Invitational.

Five players from each of the four teams will not go through the player draft to be held at a yet-to-be-decided venue on May 2. Initially, the draft was meant to be conducted on April 25, but with the national players away for the North American Cup, that date has been changed.

Among those kept on are captains Kamau Leverock (Sandys Spartans), Onias Bascome (Smith’s Sixers), Dominic Sabir (Pembroke Panthers) and Terryn Fray (Hamilton Parish Hurricanes).

Leverock continues his association with former Cup Match coach Jeff Richardson, while Bascome’s leadership is expected to flourish under Clevie Wade.

Dominic Sabir’s growth as a leader is being polished under national coach Cal Waldron, with Terryn Fray, the Bermuda team leader and Clay Smith are expected to deliver a second title for Hamilton Parish Hurricanes.

This year’s edition promises to be bigger and better after CG Insurance came on board as the tournament’s marquee sponsor.

Involvement of 12 overseas stars, including West Indians, of Carlos Brathwaite, Raymond Riefer, Yannic Cariah, Jewel Andrew, Kadeem Alleyne, Jeavor Royal and Jordan Johnson, New Zealander Chad Bowes, Namibian Gerhard Erasmus, as well as American Aaron Jones for the tournament running from June 1 to 8 on North Field, National Sports Centre, should add more excitement.