Pakistan superstar among international talent in Big Bash drafts

Afridi is certain to cause huge interest among BBL clubs with Brisbane Heat holding the number one pick and having the first chance to take the fast-bowling sensation.

Afridi’s fellow Pakistan stars Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan are other high-profile players who have put their names forward for selection for KFC BBL|15.

Former England captain Heather Knight and countrywomen Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell and Danni Wyatt-Hodge are up for grabs for Weber WBBL|11, while Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, a bowling all-rounder, is hoping to be drafted for the first time.

The Big Bash Draft Hub, exclusively available in the Big Bash App features player nominations with up-to-date availability and retention status for each player as well as the latest draft news and information. More player nominations and international pre-signings will be revealed in the lead-up to the Draft.
 
This season’s draft has been brought forward to June to provide club’s more certainty about player selection as they use the available recruiting mechanisms to build their lists for the season to come.

Nominations announced today for the BBL|15 and WBBL|11 Drafts are below: 

KFC BBL|15 Draft first nominations:

Weber WBBL|11 Draft first nominations:

With nominations now closed, more than 600 overseas players have put their names forward to be part of the WBBL and BBL seasons.

A nomination for the Draft indicates a player has not been pre-signed by any club.

Despite not being pre-signed, players eligible for retention may still be selected with their previous club’s retention pick in the Drafts.

These nominations follow the announcement of 14 pre-signed players to date across the clubs, with the remaining two to be announced soon.

Pre-signed overseas players:

Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager Big Bash Leagues, said:

“We are very excited by the nominations for the Big Bash Leagues drafts including some global superstars who will add enormous intrigue as the clubs compete for the best available talent.

“Having household names such as Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Heather Knight and Sophie Ecclestone nominate demonstrates the continuing appeal of the Big Bash Leagues to some of the world’s best players.

“Bringing the draft forward will provide more certainty for the clubs as they build their lists and give fans an early insight into the stars who will wear their team’s colours.

“We’re grateful to our partners Seven and Fox Sports who will ensure the draft is broadcast across multiple platforms keeping Big Bash fans engaged and entertained.

“We will have more exciting announcements in the weeks ahead as we reveal the full list of nominations and more pre-signed international players who will help light up the Big Bash Leagues this summer.”

How to watch the Drafts

The Drafts will be broadcast across 7mate, 7plus Sport, Foxtel and Kayo Sports on June 19 from 4pm AEST.

How the Drafts work

Both the BBL|15 and WBBL|11 Drafts consist of four rounds, with all clubs receiving one pick in each round.

Clubs can select a player who has made themselves available to be drafted in one of four overseas player salary bands: Platinum (Round 1 or 2), Gold (Round 2 or 3), Silver (Round 3 or 4) or Bronze (Round 4 only).

Clubs must use at least three picks including pre-signed players and can pass once.

Players contracted before the Draft under the new pre-signing mechanism will not appear on the nominations list. Pre-signed players must be selected by their club during the Draft with a pick that matches the salary band of their playing contract.

The order of selections for both Drafts was confirmed via the Draft Lotteries, with the third round to be conducted in reverse order.

KFC BBL|15 Draft Order:

1. Brisbane Heat
2. Adelaide Strikers
3. Melbourne Renegades
4. Perth Scorchers
5. Hobart Hurricanes
6. Sydney Sixers
7. Melbourne Stars
8. Sydney Thunder

Weber WBBL|11 Draft Order:

1. Sydney Sixers
2. Adelaide Strikers
3. Melbourne Stars
4. Perth Scorchers
5. Hobart Hurricanes
6. Sydney Thunder
7. MelbourneRenegades
8. Brisbane Heat