The third edition of the Big Bash League overseas player draft is almost here.
The eight Big Bash clubs will be hoping to bolster their squads this weekend, with lingering intrigue over which international stars will be targeted or snubbed.
As usual, availability remains an issue ahead of the BBL Draft, with several high-profile players only available for a portion of the competition due to other commitments.
Regardless, Fox Cricket has taken a stab at predicting which players will get snapped up over the weekend and where they will go.
The BBL Draft gets underway on Sunday afternoon immediately after the WBBL Draft, which starts at 3pm AEST.
Watch every ball of the England vs Sri Lanka Test series LIVE & exclusive to Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Big Root ton leads Eng out of trouble | 01:12
MELBOURNE STARS
Last season: 6th
Picks: 1, 9, 24, 25
Pre-Draft signing: Tom Curran
Squad: Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Joel Paris, Tom Rogers, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster
Prediction: Ben Duckett and Shadab Khan
After another disappointing season, the Stars were fortunate to draw the coveted No. 1 pick for a second consecutive season.
The pre-draft signing of Tom Curran gives the Melbourne-based club an experienced death bowler who can also occupy the Power Surge, but head coach Peter Moores also identified the need for a left-handed batter in the top order — and England opener Ben Duckett fits the bill.
The Bazballer, who has been helping Ben Stokes’ Test side shatter records over the past 24 months, remains a massive threat in the T20 format, as shown by his recent achievements in The Hundred competition, cracking 269 runs at 67.25. However, Duckett is only available for six to nine Big Bash matches, not including finals.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Shadab Khan, a versatile all-rounder who bowls handy leg spin, looms as another compelling option for the Big Bash club.
The Stars, who are yet to find a worthwhile replacement for Adam Zampa, have previously attempted to poach spin superstar Rashid Khan from the Strikers, but leggie Khan could strengthen the middle order and provide an additional bowling option.
Khan has indicated he would be available for the finals, while the Stars could also be tempted to retain Rauf if they wanted an additional fast bowler for the Powerplay.
MELBOURNE RENAGADES
Last season: 7th
Picks: 2, 10, 23, 26
Pre-Draft signing: Tim Seirfet
Squad: Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan Lyon, Fergus O’Neill, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Adam Zampa
Prediction: Reece Topley and Qais Ahmad
The Renegades lost a trio of batters last summer — Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch and Nic Maddinson — with the pre-draft signing of Tim Seirfet providing a much-needed boost to the squad’s middle order.
The Melbourne-based club has already revealed that Seirfet’s contract did not fall into the platinum category, allowing the Renegades to target high-demand players in the opening rounds of this weekend’s draft.
England quick Reece Topley, a talented left-armed seamer that’s available for the entire Big Bash tournament, will be hot property on Sunday afternoon.
The Renegades poached Gurinder Sandhu from the Thunder during the off-season, but having an additional paceman in the squad would give the Melbourne-based franchise a formidable bowling attack.
Meanwhile, the Sixers signed West Indies tweaker Akeal Hosein ahead of the draft, leaving the Renegades with one less spin option at their disposal this season.
Afghanistan spinner Qais Ahmad has a superb record in the BBL, while unlike national teammate Mujeeb Ur Rahman, he is available for the entire tournament.
Having a world-class spinner to accompany Adam Zampa, particularly while Nathan Lyon is on Test duty, could be enough for the Renegades to target the talented tweaker, who could prove a handful at Marvel Stadium.
SYDNEY THUNDER
Last season: 8th
Picks: 3, 13, 22, 27
Pre-Draft signing: Sam Billings
Squad: Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, William Salzmann, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner
Prediction: Alex Hales and Zaman Khan
After finishing bottom of the ladder last summer, the Thunder have set about rebuilding their roster with several key signings, including Wes Agar, Nic Maddinson and Sam Billings.
Being the club’s leading run-scorer in Big Bash history, there is a strong chance England opener Alex Hales will be retained by the Thunder in this weekend’s draft.
Having recently retired from international cricket, Hales remains one of the most destructive openers on the T20 circuit and would form a dangerous partnership with David Warner in lime green.
However, the 35-year-old is unavailable for the Big Bash finals having agreed to join the United Arab Emirates’ ILT20 competition in January. With Cameron Bancroft also in the Thunder squad, there may not be a need for another opener.
Having lost Gurinder Sandhu over the winter, the Thunder will be hoping to bolster their pace attack in the draft, with Zaman Khan a leading candidate.
The Pakistan bowler, who can bowl at the death, claimed eight wickets in four matches for the Sydney-based club last season before leaving the tournament early, but he’s available for the whole competition this year.
However, if the Thunder felt they needed a middle-order batter to partner Ollie Davies at the death, they may target the likes of Shadab Khan or Imad Wasim.
HOBART HURRICANES
Last season: 5th
Picks: 4, 12, 21, 28
Pre-Draft signing: Chris Jordan
Squad: Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis, Peter Hatzoglou, Caleb Jewell, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim, Mac Wright
Prediction: Imad Wasim and Tom Banton
The Hurricanes’ squad is lacking in several departments ahead of this weekend’s draft.
Spinners Peter Hatzoglou and Paddy Dooley struggled last season, Matthew Wade’s form has dipped over the last 12 months, while the absence of reliable middle-order batters is glaring.
Last year’s signings, Corey Anderson and Sam Hain, failed to impress during the 2023/24 summer, so the Hurricanes will be tempted to look elsewhere.
It’s difficult to predict what they have in mind, but Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim, who is eligible for retention from the Melbourne Stars, would balance the team’s starting XI.
The Hurricanes might want Wasim’s experience at the death with the bat, while his spin could be valuable in the middle overs.
Meanwhile, if the Hurricanes needed another opener, England’s Tom Banton should be near the top of the queue.
Having previously starred for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, Banton has shown he can clear the boundary with ease, particularly down at Blundstone Arena.
However, the 25-year-old is only available for six to nine games in this year’s tournament, which could deter the Hurricanes from calling his name on Sunday afternoon.
ADELAIDE STRIKERS
Last season: 4th
Picks: 5, 11, 20, 29
Pre-draft signing: Ollie Pope
Squad: James Bazley, Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Chris Lynn, Lloyd Pope, Ollie Pope, Alex Ross, D’Arcy Short, Matt Short, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald
Prediction: Lockie Ferguson and Jamie Overton
The loss of Rashid Khan is undeniably a blow for the Strikers, but local leg-spinners Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce did a commendable job for the Adelaide-based club last season.
English all-rounder Jamie Overton is available to the Strikers as a retention option, but following a poor Hundred campaign where he didn’t bowl due to a back stress fracture, new head coach Tim Paine may be tempted to look elsewhere.
However, the 30-year-old was one of the Strikers’ most consistent bowlers last summer, taking 16 wickets in nine matches. Should he return to full fitness by December, the Strikers won’t hesitate bringing him back to the South Australian capital.
Meanwhile, the lack of pace in the Strikers’ bowling attack following Wes Agar’s departure is glaring, so New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson could be a target.
The Kiwi’s recent white-ball form has been exceptional, particularly on the international stage, but he is only available for 6 to 9 matches, meaning Reece Topley and Haris Rauf could also be in contention.
BRISBANE HEAT
Last summer: 1st
Picks: 6, 14, 19, 30
Pre-draft signing: Colin Munro
Squad: Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler
Prediction: Jason Roy and Paul Walter
How do you replace someone like Josh Brown?
After the powerful Queenslander was snapped up by the Melbourne Renegades over the winter — and with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne unavailable for most of the season — the Heat’s top order is worryingly barren.
With that in mind, the men in teal might have their eye on England opener and World Cup champion Jason Roy at this weekend’s draft.
If Roy were unavailable or picked by a rival club in the first round, the Heat might instead go for fellow Englishmen Tom Banton, Ben Duckett or Alex Hales.
Having won last year’s Big Bash League, the Heat aren’t expected to stray too far from the team that helped them win a second title, so England’s Paul Walter would almost certainly be retained.
The left-armed quick, who quickly became a fan favourite last summer, claimed 17 wickets at 17.11 for the Heat and made some handy cameos with the bat.
PERTH SCORCHERS
Last summer: 3rd
Picks: 7, 15, 18, 31
Pre-Draft signing: Finn Allen
Squad: Ashton Agar, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matt Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
Prediction: Laurie Evans and Stephen Eskinazi
It’s no secret that the Scorchers’ success over the past five years has been due to their local talent, which is why the club’s salary cap is soaked up by Australians.
Should the draft transpire as expected, don’t be surprised if the Scorchers once again skip the first round and look to retain Laurie Evans and Stephen Eskinazi as gold or silver picks.
Both England stars have performed superbly for the Perth-based franchise over the last 24 months, while Eskinazi is available for the entire season.
If the Scorchers thought they needed another bowler, they could instead retain Tymal Mills, who was the equal leading wicket-taker at this year’s Hundred competition. However, they already have a capable left-armed quick in Jason Behrendorff.
SYDNEY SIXERS
Last summer: 2nd
Picks: 8, 16, 17, 32
Pre-Draft signing: Akeal Hosein
Squad: Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Akeal Hosein, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith
Prediction: James Vince and Izharulhaq Naveed
The Sixers drew the short straw this year, receiving the final pick of the BBL Draft.
However, the men in magenta shouldn’t be discouraged, knowing they can retain England’s James Vince in the first round.
The 33-year-old is in scintillating form in the T20 format, finishing this year’s Hundred as the leading run-scorer with 424 at 53.00. Even if a rival Big Bash club attempts to poach Vince in the first round of this weekend’s draft, head coach Greg Shipperd can swoop in with a retention pick.
Meanwhile, the Sixers inked a deal with West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein during the off-season, securing him as a pre-draft signing to help replace veteran tweaker Steve O’Keefe.
However, Hosein won’t be available for the entire season, meaning the Sixers might want to retain young Afghan spinner Izharulhaq Naveed, who bowled commendably in the Big Bash a couple of years ago.
England spin prodigy Rehan Ahmed, who was snapped up by the Sixers in last season’s draft, is also available as a retention pick for six to nine games.
