Big Bash League takes a leaf from the IPL with an overseas player draft to attract stars to the T20 competition on ‘globally competitive rates’
- Cricket Australia introducing overseas player draft for the T20 BBL this summer
- BBL clubs can recruit up to three primary overseas players, draft date is pending
- ‘Globally competitive rates’ could see Indian superstar Virat Kohli play in the BBL
Cricket Australia has injected some much needed life into the T20 Big Bash League, introducing an overseas player draft similar to the Indian Premier League to attract elite superstars on ‘globally competitive rates’.
BBL clubs will be able to recruit up to three primary overseas players, with nominations formally opening on Wednesday.
CA has confirmed the draft will take place over the next few months, well ahead of the first games in December.
‘The BBL has a long history of bringing the biggest names to Australia and we expect it to be an even more attractive proposition with the introduction of the draft,’ BBL player acquisition consultant Trent Woodhill said in a statement.
‘The Draft will create a new layer of strategic decision making for players and clubs alike, as well as new levels of anticipation for the upcoming season.
Cricket Australia has breathed some much needed life into the T20 Big Bash League, introducing an overseas player draft similar to the Indian Premier League to possibly attract elite stars such as Virat Kohli (pictured) on ‘globally competitive rates’
BBL player acquisition consultant Trent Woodhill expects the BBL to see a ‘strong group of world class nominations in the near future’ (pictured, Sydney Thunder’s Gurinder Sandhu)
‘Feedback from players and agents around the world to the Draft concept has been very positive.
‘They know what a great experience a summer in Australia is and we are anticipating a strong group of nominations in the near future.’
In a bid to reduce the likelihood of the same teams competing in the finals each season, the squads who missed last season’s finals — Melbourne Stars, Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades — will be placed in a weighted lottery for picks one, two and three, according to Fox Sports.
The weighted lottery means the Renegades, who finished last earlier this year, will be in the box seat to snare pick number one.
The five teams who made the BBL finals will be placed into a separate lottery to determine picks four through to eight.
The draft will feature four rounds:
– Round 1: Platinum only
– Round 2: Platinum or Gold (up to $260,000)
– Round 3: Gold or Silver (up to $175,000)
– Round 4: Silver or Bronze (up to $100,000)
The draft will also offer one retention pick to clubs, who can override another club’s selection and retain a player if they turned out for them previously.
Additionally, clubs can still contract up to four or five replacement overseas players – in addition to two or three picked in the draft, leaving some clubs with up to seven international players in their XI.