As expected, Delray Rawlins was the first player selected during the inaugural Bermuda Smash Invitational players’ draft at a packed and lively Ocean View Golf Course conference room last night.

However, while the choice of Rawlins was well anticipated, the selection of bowling all-rounder Michael Agard by Hamilton Parish Hurricanes as the second overall pick raised a few eyebrows among casual cricket observers.

Those more familiar would be aware of Agard as one who has played an important role in the success of Premier Division 50 overs champions Bailey Bay the past few seasons. For Bay, the Barbadian has been featured as more than useful off spinner and middle to late-order batter who can give it a whack.

Nevertheless, considering how Sandys were able to stock their squad with the likes of captain Kamau Leverock and Rawlins, both of whom demonstrated great form last weekend, along with West Indies’ Shamarh Brooks and second-round choice Alje Richardson, the West End franchise emerged as the early favourites.

Rawlins played down being first out of the hat, noting that he was unconcerned about which team he went to, but was more so hoping for the event’s overall success. The action starts on Tuesday at 1pm at North Field, National Sports Centre.

“I’m more hopeful of the tournament being a good one, one that is successful especially being the first one. And of course I’m hoping that we can win it the first time out.”

Malachi Jones emerged as the third overall pick, going to the Onias Bascome led Smith’s Sixers, which has as their established pro Raymon Reifer, of Barbados, a left-handed batter who bowls left-arm medium fast.

“I wasn’t fussy about which team I ended up on, but what I like about Smith’s is that, on the schedule, they have both of the late games during the week, which allows me to juggle two things — work during the day and play afterwards,” said Jones. “Overall, it should be exciting. I’m looking forward to it and waiting to see how the teams fill out.”

With the final pick of the opening round, Pembroke Panthers’ brains trust of Tre Manders and Janeiro Tucker took Bermuda fast bowler Zeko Burgess to line up alongside their professional choice of Guyana’s Chandrapaul Hemraj, a left-handed batter, who bowls slow, left-arm orthodox.

Burgess, like Rawlins and Jones, was both thankful and anxious for the opportunity to perform as a professional on what all hope unfurls as a grand stage.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to prove, for the first Bermuda Smash, that this can actually happen and become bigger,” said Burgess, whose power hitting regardless of format and wicket-taking capability translates well to the short format. “I’m thankful to the Pembroke Panthers for picking me.”

“At the end of the day I have a job to do as a professional and I aim to give the team and the event my all.”

Aside from Richardson, second-round picks included the island’s top-rated T20 bowler from last seaon, Derrick Brangman, who went to Hurricanes, wicketkeeper-batter Okera Bascome and early-order bat Dominic Sabir, chosen by Pembroke.

Clay Smith and Terryn Fray may have found hidden value in the third round in recently arrived guest worker Abdul Salaam, who appeared for T20 champions St George’s last weekend and gave solid account.

Other third-round selections were Allan Douglas Jr (Smith’s), Sharye Tavares (Sandys) and Azende Furbert (Pembroke).

Tha latter rounds saw several developmental players chosen, as well as two trades involving Sandys Spartans picks.

The first involved the West Enders sending sixth-round selection Jordan DeSilva to Hamilton Parish for Isaiah Richardson, the other seeing Antonio Darrell sent to Smith’s Sixers in exchange for Makaite Young.