Bermuda’s cricket scene will experience something new tonight with the Bermuda Smash Invitational draft.

As the organisers attempt to introduce a from of franchise cricket to the island, the new tournament features 44 of Bermuda’s most talented cricketers entering the Bermuda Smash Draft at Ocean View Golf Course, where they will be picked by Pembroke Panthers, Smith’s Sixers, Sandys Spartans and Hamilton Hurricanes at Ocean View Golf Course.

While four overseas players Carlos Brathwaite, Raymon Reifer, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Shamarh Brooks have already been assigned to their teams, tournament co-founder Stephen Outerbridge is anticipating a fantastic evening

“There’s some excitement in the air,” Outerbridge said.

“It’s something new to Bermuda cricket and with the players that have signed up we know people are really interested. From the talks that I’ve had with many players, they have been looking forward to something like this.”

Originally selected as one of the team captains, Delray Rawlins was forced to withdraw from that senior position as a result of a possible scheduling conflict during the tournament.

However, he is still set to participate as a player and enters the draft knowing that he will likely be the first player selected by whichever team is handed the all-important first pick.

Other top choices that could be appearing in the draft include established veterans such as Dion Stovell, Chris Douglas and Allan Douglas Jr.

The tournament kicks off with a double-header at North Field, National Sports Centre, on Wednesday, with Outerbridge and fellow founding member Shane Hollis determined to make it a staple event on the Bermuda cricket calendar.

“It’s exciting times,” said Hollis. “It’s something fresh that everyone’s buying into and is much needed to give the sport a fresh breath of air.

“The fact that we’re bringing in professional players and eveyone is to be compensated gives guys a sense of professionalism.

“I think that all the players and coaches that came to the combine are very enthused about how things are organised. Everything they’ve asked for we responded to in a professional manner.

“We’ve not just treated them as local league players, but we’ve looked at them as professionals. Everything that we’ve given them has come with documentation and our approach to them is with respect because we want them to buy into what we want to accomplish.”