A comprehensive rundown of everything you need to know ahead of the BBL|12 Draft, including which players have nominated and how to watch the action live
Ultimate guide for the first ever BBL Draft
What is the BBL|12 draft?
New this year, the Overseas Player Draft will see the BBL clubs take turns to pick from a pool of available international players to play for their club in KFC BBL|12.
In the previous 11 seasons of the competition, Big Bash clubs would negotiate directly with the international players and their agents themselves.
When is the draft and how can I watch it?
This Sunday, August 28! The draft will begin at 6.30pm, after Australia's ODI series opener against Zimbabwe in Townsville, and will be broadcast live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports.
The draft will be hosted by Kath Loughnan alongside Australian cricket legends Mike Hussey and Darren Lehmann, while experienced cricket commentator Mark Howard will guide viewers through all the clubs' selections in the Draft HQ room.
Cricket.com.au will also be at the BBL|12 Draft and will have you covered with the latest news and highlights on our website, the CA Live app and across our social channels.
What players have nominated?
A massive 332 overseas players from 20 countries have nominated to play in this summer's Big Bash League and they can all be found here.
The biggest 12 names in the draft pool have been allocated platinum status and are the only players available for selection in the first round.
Platinum BBL|12 Draft list
Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Jason Roy (England)
Liam Livingstone (England)
Sam Billings (England)
Kieron Pollard (West Indies)
Andre Russell (West Indies)
David Willey (England)
Shadab Khan (Pakistan)
Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Chris Jordan (England)
Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Who has the first pick and what is the order?
Melbourne Renegades will get first choice of the 12 platinum players. Two weighted lotteries were held at Cricket Australia headquarters in Melbourne on July 20 to determine the order of the BBL|12 Draft, with the Renegades clinching the coveted first pick ahead of Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat.
Sydney Sixers secured the fourth pick after being drawn out first in the second lottery, followed by Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes, who were the unlucky club to be drawn last despite having the best chance of acquiring the pick No.4.
Image Id: F5DC060753F548749A2E52E2BF0EF6A3The draft order will follow a 'snake' format from the second round; the Hurricanes for example, who have the last pick in round two, will have the first pick in round three.
Can teams keep players from last year?
Each club is entitled to one retention pick, which means the Adelaide Strikers can hang on to Afghanistan superstar Rashid Khan if they wish. To be eligible for retention, an overseas player must have been named in the XI or as an X-factor for at least one game last season during BBL|11.
If a player entitled to be retained by a club is selected by another club before they have had their pick in that round, then the first club can use their retention pick to draft that player. However, if the club entitled to a retention pick has already made a selection in the same round, they are not allowed to use their retention pick.
There are 28 players eligible to be retained by their clubs from last season and they can all be found here.
How many picks does each team get?
The draft will consist of four rounds with each club required to make a minimum of two picks, but a maximum of three, meaning they will need to pass at least once. Clubs must have made at least one pick by the end of round two and two picks by the end of round three.
How does the draft work?
The 332 overseas players have nominated themselves across three different salary bands – gold ($260,000), silver ($175,000) and bronze ($100,000). The players deemed the most sought-after by the league have been elevated to platinum status ($340,000) and are the only players that can be selected in the first found with picks one to eight.
A full BBL Draft FAQs guide can be found here.
Will drafted players be available for the entire season?
No, not necessarily. Due to competing T20 leagues in South Africa and the UAE and the scheduling of bi-lateral international series, it's again anticipated overseas players will filter in and out of the Big Bash when their schedules allow. For example, it appears David Willey is the only platinum player available for the entire tournament with Shadab Khan likely to miss a period in mid-January due to international commitments with Pakistan, while the 10 other players have already been signed by teams in rival leagues.
But players have been required to state their availability when nominating for the draft to inform club strategy and their availability may differ across each of the salary bands they nominate for. Obviously, if a player is available for the entire tournament, the more enticing a draft prospect they become.
Clubs will be permitted to sign up four replacement players from Monday if they make three draft picks and five replacement players if they only make two draft picks.
When will we see the overseas stars in action?
The start of the season is fast approaching with Weber WBBL less than 50 days away!
The men's Big Bash season kicks off on December 13 when the Sydney Thunder take on the Melbourne Stars at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Tickets for both the men's and women's Big Bash Leagues can be purchased here.
The BBL|12 Draft will be held on Sunday, August 28 and broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports following the first ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe in Townsville.
Click here for a full list of players to have nominated for the BBL|12 Draft.