The eight Big Bash teams will compete to sign some of the best T20 cricketers from around the world in this weekend’s overseas player draft.
The full list of nominations was announced on Wednesday, with 432 men and 161 women from 30 countries joining the race for this summer’s tournament.
Here’s a simple guide with everything you need to know before the BBL Draft and WBBL Draft.
Table of Contents
BBL & WBBL Format:
The format for both WBBL and BBL Drafts is the same. Clubs take turns picking players over four rounds, and each club must choose at least two new players during the draft.
Players decide which salary range they want to be in. Platinum players can be chosen in rounds 1 or 2, gold players in rounds 2 or 3, silver in rounds 3 or 4, and bronze only in round 4.
For example, if England’s Ben Duckett only chooses the platinum or gold salary bands, clubs can select him as a platinum player in rounds 1 or 2, or as a gold player in rounds 2 or 3.
Each club must also use one pick for a pre-draft overseas player in a round matching the salary band of the contract. For example, if the Thunder sign Sam Billings for a platinum salary, one of the club’s picks in the first two rounds must be reserved for him.
WBBL DRAFT SALARY BANDS:
- Platinum – $110,000 (depending on availability)
- Gold – $90,000
- Silver – $65,000