Photo Credit: BCCI
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has signaled his availability for this summer’s KFC Big Bash League, nominating himself for the inaugural KFC BBL|12 Draft.
As announced last week, the Draft will revolutionize the recruitment of overseas stars to the KFC BBL. Each club will have the opportunity to recruit up to three primary overseas players, including a number of T20 cricket’s biggest names. Read more here.
The first of those to enter the Draft is du Plessis, one of cricket’s most respected global figures. His standing as a world class top order batter was earned throughout an international career in which he amassed 11,198 runs, before becoming highly sought after on the global T20 circuit. At 37, he also remains one of the world’s most athletic fielders and revered on-field leaders, including as captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
Du Plessis will return to the KFC BBL for the first time in a decade if drafted. He played just one match in BBL|02, signed by the Melbourne Renegades after his player of the match performance on Test debut against Australia days earlier.
Alongside du Plessis, the League has also welcomed nominations from three other former Proteas:
- Rilee Rossouw, a stylish left-hand bat and another a former Renegade, having played seven matches in KFC BBL|10. Rossouw also boasts a wealth of T20 league experience and is well known to many Australian players for his match-winning 122 in his final international appearance, an ODI in 2016.
- David Wiese, an experienced all-rounder who turned out for Namibia in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after not playing for South Africa since 2016. He boasts a formidable T20 record, with 3324 runs at a strike rate of 142.47 and 229 wickets in 294 matches.
- Marchant de Lange, an imposing fast bowler who will give his KFC BBL club an injection of pace if selected on Draft night. Standing at two metres tall, de Lange has snared 659 career wickets across all formats, including a recent Vitality Blast spell of 4/9 in three brutal overs.
All players will be required to confirm their specific availability dates for part or all of the KFC BBL season prior to Draft nominations closing. This includes players who also have commitments to Cricket South Africa’s new T20 league.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“The League is delighted to receive nominations from Faf du Plessis, Marchant de Lange, Rilee Rossouw and David Wiese to enter the KFC BBL|12 Draft.
“The nomination of a player of Faf’s calibre is not only an endorsement of the BBL Draft, but also of the BBL’s unique offering as a great experience for players and their families in the Australian summer. We believe it is the players’ favourite competition.
“We thank these players for making themselves available for the KFC BBL and look forward to announcing further nominations soon.”
Trent Woodhill, Big Bash Leagues’ Player Acquisition and Cricket Consultant, said:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Faf, Marchant, Rilee and David to the KFC BBL – all game-changing players with a wealth of experience at international and franchise level.
“The Draft has injected significant excitement and interest into the global T20 market. We remain engaged in positive discussions with a large number players and their agents, who are all excited by the prospects of showcasing their talents to the world this BBL season.”
KFC BBL|12 DRAFT
The KFC BBL|12 Draft is an exciting new addition this season, helping bring some of the biggest names in T20 cricket to the BBL.
Details regarding the Draft, including date and how to watch, will be released soon.
Want to know how the Draft works? Click here to download KFC BBL|12 Draft explainer graphics and videos
KFC BBL|12 SEASON
Details for a huge summer of Big Bash will be confirmed soon, including the announcement of the KFC BBL|12 schedule and ticket details.
Fans are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest information on the Big Bash, including access to a ticket pre-sale and first access to Draft news, by registering for the Australian Cricket Family.
Not part of the Australian Cricket Family? Register here
Name of Author: Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia (CA), formerly the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for cricket in Australia. Established in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, CA manages all national teams, including Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sides, as well as other national teams. It oversees the organization of Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and coordinates home international fixtures.
