Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat will target ‘impactful’ International recruits when they take their seat at the inaugural KFC Big Bash League overseas player draft this year.
Cricket Australia today confirmed that it would introduce a player draft for international recruits for the coming 2022-23 summer season.
The Draft, to be held in coming months, will give all Clubs the opportunity to recruit up to three primary overseas players for their KFC BBL|12 lists.
There will be four categories in which players can be selected at the draft: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Salaries for each category have been set at globally competitive rates, with Platinum the highest player payment.
There will be four rounds, with the opening rounds determined by a weighted lottery for the three teams which missed the Finals last season.
Brisbane Heat head coach Wade Seccombe said the club would look to make maximum use of their picks and was keen to target the best prospects available.
“We know the Platinum level will be available for the opening picks so it will be our desire to secure an impactful player who can win matches and has won tournaments in the past,’’ he said.
“That could be a top order bat, a pace bowler, a spinner, a middle order finisher or an allrounder with our first pick. . . we will be looking at utilising our draft position to maximise our recruiting return.”
“The draft is an exciting development for the BBL and one that will boost the competition significantly. I’m sure the Heat fans will be keen to see which internationals we pursue, and will no doubt welcome them warmly once we have completed the draft process.”
“We’ve already had some preliminary discussions internally about what preparations we need to put in place ahead of the draft and the strategies we will employ in the lead-up and on the day.”
Seccombe said the Heat would tap into the expertise of QC and Heat coaching staff such as Darren Lehmann, Andy Bichel, James Hopes and Ryan Harris, who have all spent time in the Indian Premier League and The Hundred in the UK where drafting has become a major element of team success.
Players from around the world are now able to nominate for the KFC BBL|12 Draft via an online nomination portal, including their availability for part or all of this summer’s tournament.
Each club is entitled to one Retention Pick to be used in any round of the Draft. A player is eligible for retention if they have played a match for that Club the previous season.
The Heat had four overseas players see action for the club during last summer. English batsman Ben Duckett, who was the club’s MVP, Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, English batsman Tom Abell and Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman.
Additionally, the BBL|12 contracting embargo has now been lifted, meaning clubs are able to enter binding discussions with Australian players. There are no changes to the mechanisms by which domestic players are recruited.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“KFC BBL|12 is shaping up as the most hotly anticipated season yet, with the best of the Big Bash on display on and off the field. At the forefront of this will be the KFC BBL|12 Draft, which elevates the recruitment of overseas players to a new level.
“The Draft is designed to attract the best available players, excite fans for the upcoming season and provide new opportunities for Clubs and the League. We look forward to announcing the first group of nominations soon.
“We’d like to thank our Clubs and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for working with us on building the Draft and look forward to the event itself.”
Trent Woodhill, Big Bash Leagues’ Player Acquisition and Cricket Consultant, said:
“The KFC BBL has a long history of bringing the biggest names to Australia and we expect it to be an even more attractive proposition with the introduction of the Draft.
“The Draft will create a new layer of strategic decision making for players and Clubs alike, as well as new levels of anticipation for the upcoming season.
“Feedback from players and agents around the world to the Draft concept has been very positive. They know what a great experience a summer in Australia is and we are anticipating a strong group of nominations in the near future.”
