Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
International stars Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw could be back at Sydney Thunder this summer after the pair nominated for the September 3 KFC BBL Overseas Player Draft.
The duo, who were both part of the Thunder Nation during BBL|12 last summer, were amongst a host of topline batters that Big Bash fans can look forward to seeing this summer.
Three batters ranked in the world’s top 20 have put their name forward for selection in the Draft – Rossouw (South Africa), Hales (England) and Nicholas Pooran (West Indies).
Joining that elite trio in the draft will be fellow heavy hitters Faf du Plessis (South Africa), Colin Munro (New Zealand) and England’s Laurie Evans.
Thunder will be spoilt for choice with both Rossouw, who is ranked fourth in T20I batting and Hales, ranked 13th and holder of an impressive BBL strike rate of 150.14, available as retention pick options.
Head of Sydney Thunder, Andrew Gilchrist, said:
“The KFC BBL Overseas Player Draft allows clubs to bring outstanding overseas talent into their squads and we were able to do that last summer with the likes of Alex (Hales) and Rilee (Rossouw).
“They are both outstanding players and wonderful people who have fit seamlessly into our group in the past.
“Having them both in this year’s Draft gives us the potential to welcome them back, either using our retention pick or by drafting them directly.”
The KFC BBL Overseas Player Draft on September 3 promises to be an exciting event as teams vie for the chance to secure the world’s best players in their squads. Further nominations for the KFC BBL Overseas Player Draft will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Retention Picks
Players in both the WBBL & BBL Overseas Player Drafts will be an eligible retention player if they fit any of the following criteria:
- Have been in a Big Bash team squad for a minimum of two seasons and haven’t been contracted to another team since
- Have been in a Big Bash team squad the previous season
- Was in a team squad last season but did not play in the starting 13 and have been approved by the Big Bash Technical Committee
- Is otherwise approved by the Big Bash Technical Committee due to exceptional circumstances
