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August 31, 2024
The third Big Bash League overseas player draft is nearly here, and the eight clubs are eager to strengthen their squads. With speculation mounting about which international stars will be picked or overlooked, the draft promises excitement.
Availability issues persist, as many top players can only commit to part of the season due to other engagements. Despite this, Fox Cricket has made predictions on which players will likely be chosen and where they’ll land.
The BBL Draft kicks off on Sunday afternoon, following the WBBL Draft, which begins at 3pm AEST.
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 a disappointing season, the Stars have secured the No. 1 pick for the second year running. Adding Tom Curran as a pre-draft signing provides them with a seasoned death bowler and a Power Surge option. However, coach Peter Moores is also looking for a left-handed top-order batter, making England’s Ben Duckett a strong candidate. Duckett, a T20 dynamo with impressive recent form, would boost the squad. However, he is only available for six to nine matches.
Another intriguing choice is Pakistan’s Shadab Khan, an adaptable all-rounder with good leg spin. With the Stars still seeking a solid replacement for Adam Zampa, Khan could enhance their bowling attack and middle order. Additionally, while Rashid Khan has been a target in the past, Khan’s availability for the finals could make him a valuable addition. The Stars might also consider retaining Rauf for extra pace in the Powerplay.
Last season: 7th
Picks: 2, 10, 23, 26
Pre-Draft signing: Tim Seifert
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
Tim Seifert, a pre-draft pick, has helped the Renegades strengthen their middle order after they lost important hitters Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch, and Nic Maddinson to injury last season. His contract, not falling into the platinum category, allows the Renegades to pursue top-tier talent in the draft’s early rounds.
England’s Reece Topley, a skilled left-arm quick available for the tournament, is a prime target. His addition would complement the pace attack, already strengthened by the off-season acquisition of Gurinder Sandhu from the Thunder.
With the Sixers signing West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein, the Renegades are left seeking a top spin option. Qais Ahmad of Afghanistan, a successful BBL player, is a natural fit. Unlike his compatriot Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ahmad is available for the entire season. He could be a game-changer alongside Adam Zampa, especially with Nathan Lyon on Test duty.
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 last place last season, the Thunder have made significant moves to rebuild their roster, including the additions of Wes Agar, Nic Maddinson, and Sam Billings.
England opener Alex Hales, the Thunder’s leading run-scorer in Big Bash history, is a strong candidate for retention. Despite his recent retirement from international cricket, Hales remains a formidable T20 player and would form a powerful opening partnership with David Warner. However, his availability is limited as he will miss the finals due to commitments with the ILT20 in January.
With Cameron Bancroft already in the squad, the need for another opener may be less pressing. Instead, the Thunder could focus on strengthening their pace attack, especially after losing Gurinder Sandhu. Pakistan’s Zaman Khan, known for his effective death bowling, is a prime target. He previously made a significant impact with eight wickets in four matches for the Thunder but is now available for the entire season.
Alternatively, suppose the Thunder requires a middle-order batter to complement Ollie Davies. In that case, they might consider players like Shadab Khan or Imad Wasim.
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 have several gaps to address heading into the draft. Last season’s struggles with spinners Peter Hatzoglou and Paddy Dooley, combined with Matthew Wade’s recent dip in form and a lack of reliable middle-order batters, highlight areas for improvement.
The Hurricanes’ Corey Anderson and Sam Hain signings underperformed last year, so they will likely seek new talent. Pakistan’s Imad Wasim could be a valuable addition, offering both experienced death-overs batting and effective spin for the middle overs.
If they do, Tom Banton is a strong candidate. If they need an opener or his explosive hitting with the Brisbane Heat, Banton could be an excellent fit for Blundstone Arena. However, his availability for only six to nine games this season might make the Hurricanes cautious about selecting him.
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
Losing Rashid Khan is a significant setback for the Strikers. However, local leg-spinners Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce performed admirably last season.
English all-rounder Jamie Overton is a potential retention option. Still, after a disappointing Hundred campaign and a recent back injury, new head coach Tim Paine might explore other options. Despite this, Overton was a reliable performer for the Strikers last summer, taking 16 wickets in nine matches. He could be a valuable addition if he regains full fitness by December.
With Wes Agar’s departure leaving a gap in the pace attack, New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson emerges as a top target. Ferguson has been excellent lately in white-ball cricket, especially on the international scene. However, his availability for only 6 to 9 matches might prompt the Strikers to consider other pace options like Reece Topley and Haris Rauf.
Last season: 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
As last season’s champions, the Brisbane Heat are well-positioned with their current roster. The addition of Colin Munro brings further depth to their lineup.
Looking ahead, the Heat might target England’s Jason Roy, known for his explosive batting and past success in the Big Bash. His aggressive style could complement the existing top order and bolster their strong lineup.
Paul Walter could be a valuable addition. With his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Walter would enhance the Heat’s squad, providing versatility and depth.
After the powerful Queenslander was acquired by the Melbourne Renegades over the winter—and with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne set to miss most of the season—the Heat’s top order appears notably thin.
The Heat may focus on England’s Jason Roy in the draft. As a World Cup champion and dynamic opener, Roy would be a solid addition to fill the gap at the top.
If Roy is unavailable or picked by another team early on, the Heat could consider other English options, such as Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, or Alex Hales.
Despite last year’s successful campaign, the Heat are unlikely to significantly change their championship-winning squad. England’s Paul Walter, a standout performer with 17 wickets at 17.11 and valuable lower-order contributions, is expected to be retained. His left-arm pace and all-around abilities made him a fan favorite last season.
Last season: 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
The Scorchers’ recent success has primarily been driven by their local talent, which means their salary cap is predominantly allocated to Australian players.
If the draft unfolds as anticipated, the Scorchers might again bypass the first round and focus on retaining England’s Laurie Evans and Stephen Eskinazi as gold or silver picks. Both players have been key performers for the Scorchers over the past two seasons, and Eskinazi is available for the entire campaign.
Should the Scorchers decide they need an additional bowler, they could consider Tymal Mills, a leading wicket-taker in this year’s Hundred. However, with Jason Behrendorff already on their roster, they may stick with their current pace options.
Last season: 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
Despite receiving the final pick in this year’s BBL Draft, the Sixers have robust options. They could retain England’s James Vince in the first round, a key asset given his outstanding form. Vince was the top run-scorer in this year’s Hundred, amassing 424 runs at an average of 53.00. Even if another club tries to secure him early, head coach Greg Shipperd can leverage a retention pick to keep Vince.
The Sixers have also secured West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein as a pre-draft signing, replacing the departed Steve O’Keefe. However, Hosein won’t be available for the entire season, so the Sixers might consider retaining Afghan spinner Izharulhaq Naveed, who made a notable impact in a previous Big Bash season.
Also, England’s Rehan Ahmed, drafted last season, is available for six to nine games and could be another valuable retention pick for the Sixers.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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