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Stars like Rashid Khan, Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, etc. have confirmed their inclusion in the Big Bash League 2022 as it is set to introduce a draft for the overseas players starting in the 2022-23 season. The decision to bring in the draft has been in the works for some time now but after two major roadblocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, officials finally signed off on a lucrative, four-tier draft structure late last week.
This is the biggest change in contracting since the start of the tournament 11 years ago. The foreign players nominated for the draft will be categorized across gold, silver or bronze tiers. Along these decks, teams can also bring top-drawer players in the Platinum category.
Cricket Australia hasn’t publicly confirmed the salary group, but reports suggest that the bronze level is the lowest salary band and will earn six figures with the platinum tier worth more than three times that.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's General Manager of Big Bash Leagues talked about how the draft brings in top international stars and maintains the competitive spirit in terms of salary. He said, "We've been working on it for a little while in ways that we can work with our clubs to get the best overseas players in and we know part of that is making sure we can be as competitive as required from a salary perspective. A draft is a way for us to work with clubs outside the salary cap but also a way that's really transparent and fair for all clubs.”
The BBL's Player Acquisition consultant Trent Woodhill also expressed how the draft brings in a new layer of excitement for the league. "The pressure is on the clubs to make good picks. Players just love playing cricket in Australia, it's a favourite place for so many different nationalities, so that's the pull – great wickets, great crowds and a great opportunity to enjoy summer”, he said.
Foreign players in BBL 2022 Draft enrolled so far:
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan, Qais Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Waqarullah Ishaq, Izharulhaq Naveed, Naveen Ul Haq Murid, Hazratullah Zazai
New Zealand: Colin Munro, Todd Astle
South Africa: Faf du Plessis, Marchant de Lange, Rilee Rossouw, David Wiese (also Namibia)
West Indies: Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Sheldon Cottrell, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Ravi Rampaul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair, Tion Webster, Nyeem Young.