Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
It’s time for the BBL Overseas Player Draft, where we get to choose our latest group of international stars who are ready to pull on the Scorchers orange during KFC BBL|14 and Weber WBBL|10 this summer.
When is the draft and where can I watch it?
Fans can tune into the Weber WBBL|10 Draft and the KFC BBL|14 Draft from 3:00pm AEST on September 1.
What is the draft’s purpose?
The Draft is the primary way for clubs to recruit their overseas players ahead of the upcoming season.
Previously, clubs would negotiate with players and their managers directly.
Draft order
The Draft order was determined through a weighted lottery, with each club having four selections.
In the BBL, Perth will have picks 7 (Platinum Round), 15 (Gold), 18 (Silver) and 31 (Bronze).
Meanwhile, in the WBBL Draft, Perth starts with picks 8 (Platinum), 16 (Gold), 17 (Silver) and 32 (Bronze).
Clubs may elect to pass in certain rounds, but each club must pick a minimum of two and maximum of three players by the completion of round four.
Round one is for Platinum players, round two for Platinum and Gold, round three for Gold and Silver, and round four for Silver and Bronze.
Retention picks
Clubs may choose to retain one overseas player in each Draft. Players will be an eligible retention player if they fit any of the following criteria:
• Have been in a Big Bash team squad for a minimum of two seasons and haven’t been contracted to another team since
• Have been in a Big Bash team squad the previous season
• Was in a team squad last season but did not play in the starting 13 and have been approved by the Big Bash Technical Committee
• Is otherwise approved by the Big Bash Technical Committee due to exceptional circumstances.
Scorchers are eligible to retain the following players:
BBL
– Stephen Eskinazi (England)
– Laurie Evans (England)
– Tymal Mills (England)
WBBL
– Amy Jones (England)
– Lauren Winfield-Hill (England)
-Danni Wyatt (England)
Pre-Draft Signings
New this season, the multi-year contract option allows clubs to pre-sign one men’s and women’s overseas player for up to a maximum of three years ahead of the KFC BBL|14 and Weber WBBL|10 drafts. The rule has been introduced to retain and attract new international players.
New Zealand blaster Finn Allen will light up Optus Stadium for at least the next two summers, after confirming his signing with the five-time BBL champions.
The 25-year-old is among the most destructive opening batters on the planet, renowned for attacking from ball one and sustaining his scoring rate.
Meanwhile in the WBBL, New Zealand superstar Sophie Devine will return to the Scorchers, after locking in a two-year deal to remain with the club until at least the end of WBBL|11.
The 34-year-old was dominant throughout WBBL|09, blasting 489 runs at 39.66 with an impressive strike rate of 140.92, earning her selection in the WBBL Team of the Tournament for the third time.
Total players and replacements
Each club’s MBBL squad will feature 18 players including two or three overseas players from the Draft. The remainder of the squad comprises domestic players.
The WBBL squads follow a similar set of rules, except the playing squad will only comprise of 15 players.
Perth Scorchers MBBL squad:
Ashton Turner
Ashton Agar
Finn Allen (International – New Zealand)
Mahli Beardman
Jason Behrendorff
Cooper Connolly
Sam Fanning
Aaron Hardie
Nick Hobson
Josh Inglis
Matt Kelly
Mitch Marsh
Lance Morris
Jhye Richardson
Perth Scorchers WBBL Squad:
Chloe Ainsworth
Stella Campbell
Piepa Cleary
Maddy Darke
Sophie Devine (International – New Zealand)
Amy Edgar
Mikayla Hinkley
Alana King
Lilly Mills
Chloe Piparo
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexc “daily briefing” newsletter.
