Shaheen Afridi, Jemimah Rodriguez Headline BBL, WBBL First Draft List

The Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), on June 10 (Tuesday), announced a list of players available to be picked in the first draft of the next season. Amongst the big names are Pakistan’s star bowler Shaheen Afridi and India women’s star batter Jemimah Rodriguez, who is better known for her off-the-field creativity as well. 

The number one pick in this year’s draft is the Brisbane Heat, and hence, the fate of the big superstars will be in their hands. 

Alongside Afridi, other star players in the list include Pakistan’s ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan, pacer Haris Rauf and spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan. 

Amongst the women players, former England captain Heather Knight, left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, pacer Lauren Bell, and batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge make up the star-studded lineup for the WBBL draft. 

Amongst other notable players is Pakistan women’s captain Fatima Sana. 

A total of more than 600 players have put forward their names to be included in the BBL and WBBL. The pre-signings for the season will be announced later on. A name in the draft means that the player has not been pre-signed by any club. 

Speaking on the occasion,  Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager Big Bash Leagues, said, “We are very excited by the nominations for the Big Bash Leagues drafts, including some global superstars who will add enormous intrigue as the clubs compete for the best available talent.”

BBL Draft First Nominations:

Shamar Joseph (West Indies)

Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand)

Sam Curran (England)

Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka)

Alex Hales (England)

Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

Tim Southee (New Zealand)

Haris Rauf (Pakistan)

Shadab Khan (Pakistan)

WBBL Draft First Nominations:

Heather Knight (England)

Deandra Dottin (West Indies)

Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

Sophie Ecclestone (England)

Shikha Pandey (India)

Jemimah Rodrigues (India)

Lauren Bell (England)

Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)

Chloe Tryon (South Africa)

Fatima Sana (Pakistan)

BBL Draft Order:

Brisbane Heat

Adelaide Strikers

Melbourne Renegades

Perth Scorchers

Hobart Hurricanes

Sydney Sixers

Melbourne Stars

Sydney Thunder

WBBL Draft Order:

Sydney Sixers

Adelaide Strikers

Melbourne Stars

Perth Scorchers

Hobart Hurricanes

Sydney Thunder

Melbourne Renegades

Brisbane Heat