New Zealand’s recently released gun for hire Trent Boult is among a dozen international stars listed as “platinum players” in the first Big Bash draft unveiled on Monday.
Boult, one of 12 platinum players who can earn $340,000 each in the BBL, recently negotiated a release from his central contract with New Zealand Cricket, taking up a “casual” agreement so he has more freedom to play in T20 leagues around the world.
New Zealand pace ace Trent Boult is in this year’s BBL draft.Credit:AP
The skilful left-arm swing and seam bowler joins England’s Jason Roy, Sam Billings, Chris Jordan, and David Willey; West Indian Andre Russell, and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan as newly unveiled players for BBL|12.
Also among the new nominations is West Indian Carlos Brathwaite, England’s Tom Curran and Phil Salt, New Zealander James Neesham and Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz.
They join other new and returning faces previously announced as draft nominees including Laurie Evans, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and James Vince, who are among 26 players eligible for retention by their clubs from last season.
Platinum BBL players
- 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)
The new four-tiered draft system has been introduced by Cricket Australia to revive the BBL. The league is facing unprecedented competition from new T20 competitions in South Africa and the UAE, which is being heavily funded by Indian IPL owners and businesses.
Along with platinum players, anyone nominated in the gold category can receive $260,000, silver $175,000 and bronze $100,000. The select groups are among 279 overseas players nominated for the draft.
A number of the best overseas players are expected to sign up for the first half of the BBL, beginning in December, then leave for the more lucrative UAE tournament from mid-January, where they can earn up to $700,000.
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