The Big Bash League overseas player draft returns this Sunday, and all eight franchises will be desperate to lock down some of cricket’s best T20 players.
On Wednesday morning, Cricket Australia unveiled a list of 25 platinum players who could be snapped up during the first two rounds of Sunday’s draft. Only platinum players can be picked in the first round, while the second round includes platinum and gold cricketers.
Platinum players will earn AU$420,000 if they play the entire BBL season, up from $340,000 last year. However, most of the high-profile cricketers will leave the tournament early to join South Africa’s SA20 and the United Arab Emirates’ ILT20, and their pay cheque will be docked $20,000 for every group stage match they miss.
The Big Bash regular season wraps up on January 17, meaning players who have contracts with the SA20, which starts on January 11, or the ILT20, which is expected to commence on January 19, won’t feature in the BBL finals series.
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Meanwhile, England’s highly-anticipated Test series against India in the subcontinent gets underway on January 25, meaning the nation’s red-ball stars won’t be available for the Big Bash finals either.
And there’s more – Pakistan’s Test campaign against Australia overlaps with the BBL, so red-ball cricketers from the Asian nation will miss a large chunk of the tournament.
With all that in mind, Fox Cricket has attempted to predict what will go down in the first two rounds of this weekend’s BBL draft.
PICK 1 – MELBOURNE STARS
Harry Brook (ENG)
The Yorkshireman is hot property in the Big Bash Draft this year.
Brook has enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months in all three formats, cracking four Test centuries in Pakistan and New Zealand before turning heads during the recent Ashes campaign.
The 24-year-old is the only cricketer to score a hundred in the Indian Premier League and The Hundred, also achieving the feat in the Pakistan Super League.
He would be a seriously handy addition for the Stars, who finished bottom of the BBL last year.
However, Brook will almost certainly miss the start and finish of the Big Bash tournament due to international commitments, including a T20 series against the West Indies that wraps up on December 22.
Brook looming as first pick in BBL Draft | 00:46
PICK 2 – ADELAIDE STRIKERS
Rashid Khan (AFG)
Strikers fans breathed a sigh of relief when Rashid Khan’s Big Bash return was confirmed last week.
Earlier this year, the leg-spinner threatened to boycott the T20 tournament after Cricket Australia withdrew from a white-ball series against Afghanistan in March. Thankfully, he didn’t follow through with the move.
Khan, put simply, is the best T20 bowler in history. No international player has taken more BBL wickets, while his economy rate of 6.44 is the lowest for any cricketer with more than 20 scalps.
The 24-year-old won’t be available for the second half of the tournament due to SA20 commitments with the MI Cape Town, but the Strikers wouldn’t miss an opportunity to retain their star spinner.
Rashid Khan GOES AFTER Turner verbally | 01:18
PICK 3 – HOBART HURRICANES
Shadab Khan (PAK)
The Hurricanes went on a Pakistani shopping spree last year, snapping up three players from the Asian nation in last year’s draft.
And with star all-rounder Shadab Khan available as a retention pick, there’s a good chance he’ll be donning purple again this summer.
Khan, who is No. 4 on the ICC’s men’s T20I all-rounder rankings, was named in the T20 World Cup’s team of the tournament last year after guiding Pakistan to the final against England at the MCG.
Hurricanes fans would be frothing at the possibility of Khan combining with Hurricanes big-hitter Tim David in the death overs.
Khan will miss the end of the tournament due to international commitments, with Pakistan travelling to New Zealand for a T20 series in January.
Shadab Khan takes a SCREAMER! | 00:56
PICK 4 – MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Sam Billings (ENG)
The Renegades lost wicketkeeper Sam Harper in a trade with cross-town rivals the Melbourne Stars earlier this year, and Billings would fill the gap in their roster.
After West Indies wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran withdrew from the draft, the Renegades don’t have many other platinum wicketkeepers to choose from.
South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who would be required to leave the BBL early due to SA20 commitments, is also a formidable talent, but availability has proven vital in draft decisions.
However, Billings will miss the Big Bash finals due to his ILT20 contract with the Dubai Capitals.
PICK 5 – SYDNEY THUNDER
Alex Hales (ENG)
This feels like a no-brainer.
Hales, who recently retired from international cricket, is not only a T20 World Cup champion, but one of the most prolific openers in white-ball history.
The Englishman, available to the Thunder as a retention pick, is the second-leading run-scorer for the club in Big Bash history with 1747 runs and a strike rate of 150.73.
He could form a dangerous opening partnership with new recruit Cameron Bancroft for the first half of the Big Bash campaign, before David Warner strengthens the team’s top order after the New Year’s Test against Pakistan.
Hales will miss the finals campaign due to his ILT20 contract with the Desert Vipers.
Hales LAUNCHES England into Final! | 01:24
PICK 6 – SYDNEY SIXERS
Tom Curran (ENG)
After veteran all-rounder Daniel Christian hung up the boots last summer, the Sixers need to find an all-rounder to fill the No. 7 slot.
Curran, who has made 32 appearances for the Sixers since his Big Bash debut in 2018, is capable of winning matches with bat and ball, as shown by his previous campaigns with the men in pink.
The Sixers already have a couple of strike spinners in their squad, so securing another seamer appears to be their best course of action.
Curran, available to the Sixers as a retention pick, will miss the BBL finals campaign due to ILT20 commitments with the Desert Vipers.
PICK 7 – BRISBANE HEAT
Colin Munro (NZL)
The Heat’s batting depth will be tested this summer, with Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja expected to be unavailable due to Test duties. Therefore, retaining a reliable batter like Munro seems to be a sensible move for the men in teal.
The Heat could be eyeing all-rounder Will Jacks, but they already have local spinners Mitchell Swepson and Matthew Kuhnemann at their disposal.
Munro, like several of the platinum players in this year’s draft, will miss the finals campaign due to his ILT20 contract with the Desert Vipers.
PICK 8 – PERTH SCORCHERS
Phil Salt (ENG)
The Scorchers have lost star opener Cameron Bancroft to the Sydney Thunder, while captain Mitchell Marsh might miss the entire Big Bash campaign due to Test commitments.
With their top order potentially looking slightly weaker this season, the Scorchers might be eager to secure the services of Salt as a retention pick.
Last year’s champions could also be eyeing Faf du Plessis, but the former South African skipper recently revealed he was undergoing surgery for an injured elbow, so his availability is in doubt.
Pending selection, Salt might miss the start of the Big Bash campaign due to international commitments.
PICK 9 – MELBOURNE STARS
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG)
The Stars desperately need a spinner.
After losing strike spinner Adam Zampa to cross-town rivals the Melbourne Renegades earlier this year, the Stars will be looking for a world-class replacement – and Mujeeb Ur Rahman fits the bill perfectly.
The 22-year-old’s T20 record is nothing short of remarkable. He has taken 56 wickets in 43 matches for Afghanistan, leaking just 6.28 runs per over.
Mujeeb is available to the Renegades as a retention pick, but the men in red have already signed Zampa and Nathan Lyon, so the Afghan tweaker’s services presumably won’t be required.
The Stars may attempt to poach Rashid Khan, but the Adelaide Strikers will almost certainly swoop in and snatch back the leg-spinner with their retention pick.
Mujeeb will also jet off to the United Arab Emirates for the ILT20 before the BBL finals series.
PICK 10 — ADELAIDE STRIKERS
Colin de Grandhomme (NZL)
The Strikers would be delighted to add New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme to their roster as a gold player pick following his maiden campaign with the club last season.
The 37-year-old, who starred for New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup final, can clear the boundary rope with ease and contribute some valuable overs with the ball.
The Strikers would be temped to sign English all-rounder Will Jacks, but his availability is cause for concern. The 24-year-old will almost certainly arrive in Australia late, following England’s T20 series against the West Indies, and he’ll be leading early due to SA20 commitments with the Pretoria Capitals. Not ideal.
PICK 11 — HOBART HURRICANES
Zak Crawley (ENG)
The Hurricanes lost opener D’Arcy Short to the Adelaide Strikers during the winter, so the men in purple could be looking for a replacement in the draft.
And that might be one of England’s Ashes stars.
in Crawley, who stunned Australia with a Bazball blitz at Old Trafford in July, would plug the gap the Hurricanes’ top order before he jest off to India for England’s five-match Test series in the subcontinent.
The 25-year-old is also available to the Hurricanes as a retention pick.
Crawley century sees England take charge | 04:23
PICK 12 — MELBOURNE RENEGADES
Dawid Malan (ENG)
Malan has been one of England’s most consistent white-ball batters over the past few years, currently sitting at No. 6 in the ICC T20I batting rankings.
The left-hander’s experience in the T20 format is invaluable, and he would slot perfectly in the Renegades’ top order.
However, Malan is expected to leave the BBL early due to SA20 commitments with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, so the Renegades might be tempted to look elsewhere.
Magic Malan smashes 134! | 04:12
PICK 13 — SYDNEY THUNDER
Rilee Rossouw (RSA)
The Thunder would probably be eager to add another world-class quick to their roster, so the men in lime green might attempt to poach Chris Jordan or Tymal Mills from the Sixers and Scorchers respectively.
However, unless they delve into the gold options, the Thunder could settle on retaining South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw.
The 33-year-old struggled during last year’s Big Bash campaign, averaging 18.14 across the campaign with an underwhelming strike rate of 118.69.
However, Rossouw is a proven weapon in the 20-over format, blasting two centuries for South Africa last year, including a classy knock at the SCG during the T20 World Cup.
Rossouw out TWICE in 1-ball but bats on | 01:24
PICK 14 — SYDNEY SIXERS
Chris Jordan (ENG)
Jordan, another T20 World Cup champion, not only has experience bowling at the death, but is an absolute gun in the field.
The Englishman would round out the Sixers’ bowling attack and provide valuable lower-order runs when required.
However, depending on the club’s salary cap, the Sixers might be willing to skip the second round and rely on local talent.
Jordan also won’t be available for the Big Bash finals series due to ILT20 commitments with the Gulf Giants.
A screamer! Jordans flying catch | 00:32
PICK 15 — BRISBANE HEAT
Martin Guptill (NZL)
The Heat are in desperate need of some top-order muscle, and Guptill would slot beautifully in the team’s top three.
The New Zealander had a forgettable campaign with the Melbourne Renegades last season, but proved he’s still a force to be reckoned with earlier this week, blasting a century for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.
Guptill, who has signed with the Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, could form a dangerous combination with Queenslander phenom Max Bryant at the top.
Renegades land big Kiwi name | 00:47
PICK 16 — PERTH SCORCHERS
Skip
Last year, the Scorchers showed they were willing to sacrifice early picks to make room in their salary cap for local talent.
The reigning champions have signalled their intent to prioritise players who would be available for the entire campaign, so don’t be surprised if they again skip one of the opening two rounds.
The Scorchers might be tempted to snap up Tymal Mills as a retention pick, but they already have a capable left-armed seamer in Jason Behrendorff.
Meanwhile, fellow Englishman Laurie Evans is expected to face a hearing on his failed an anti-doping test later this year, so retaining him could be a gamble for the Scorchers.
Other platinum players
Gus Atkinson (ENG)
Joe Clarke (ENG)
Quinton de Kock (RSA)
Faf du Plessis (RSA)
Will Jacks (ENG)
Tom Kohler-Cadmore (ENG)
Tymal Mills (ENG)
Haris Rauf (PAK)
James Vince (ENG)
