BBL15, WBBL11 draft: First nominations revealed, Sam Curran and Kusal Perera listed
The first internationals to have nominated for the BBL draft have been revealed, with two T20 World Cup winners among those available to the competition’s eight franchises.
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World Cup winners Sam Curran and Kusal Perera headline the first crop of internationals revealed to have nominated for this year’s Big Bash League draft.
Global T20 superstars Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammed Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan will also be available to the BBL’s eight franchises during the draft on Thursday, June 19.
“Bringing the draft forward will provide more certainty for the clubs as they build their lists and give fans an early insight into the stars who will wear their team’s colours,” BBL boss Alistair Dobson said.
However, the Pakistani quartet will require no objection certificates from the country’s governing body to feature in the BBL if they are drafted.
Curran was player of the tournament at the 2022 T20 World Cup, which was held in Australia and New Zealand.
The left-arm seamer also snared 3-12 in the final at the MCG, leading England to victory over Pakistan.
Wicketkeeper-batter Perera, a member of Sri Lanka’s triumphant 2014 T20 World Cup squad, plundered 101 from 46 balls against New Zealand earlier this year and is ranked in the world’s top-10 T20 batters.
There are more than 600 players who have nominated across the BBL and WBBL drafts, with Shabnim Ismail, Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone and Deandra Dottin among the international stars in contention.
The initial list of 10 men’s players nominated for the BBL draft is rounded out by West Indian quick Shamar Joseph, New Zealand seamers Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee and big-hitting Englishman Alex Hales.
“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,” Dobson said.
Brisbane Heat holds the first pick in the BBL draft, followed by Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades.
Sydney Sixers, Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars hold the opening three selections in the WBBL draft.
Both orders were determined by draft lotteries.
More nominations will be released in the next eight days prior to the drafts being held.
Seven players have been pre-selected by BBL clubs, including English all-rounders Jamie Overton (Strikers) and Tom Curran (Stars), Kiwi slugger Finn Allen (Scorchers) and T20 journeyman Colin Munro (Heat).
Four of the world’s top-six ranked T20 all-rounders have pre-signed deals for WBBL11.
WBBL10 final hero Hayley Matthews (Renegades), Kiwi spin sensation Amelia Kerr (Sixers), South African legend Marizanne Kapp (Stars) and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu (Thunder) are among those locked in.
The WBBL and BBL drafts are only open to internationals.
Originally published as BBL15, WBBL11 draft: First nominations revealed, Sam Curran and Kusal Perera listed
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