‘Watershed moment’: Top 12 BBL draft names revealed

The top 12 players who will be available in the first Big Bash draft have been revealed, and there is some star power involved.

Trent Boult has entered the Big Bash draft. Picture; Randy Brooks / AFP

Newly available New Zealand star Trent Boult is among 12 international players who have been given “platinum” status for the inaugural Big Bash draft this weekend.

West Indian superstar Andre Russell is also among the dozen players who are the only ones eligible for the first round of the draft, joining former South African captain Faf du Plessis, star English batters Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan in the elite group.

The best foreign players in the BBL are being offered up to $340,000 if taken as a platinum selection in Sunday‘s draft, which remains considerably more than what the highest paid Australian players earn.

But as another 100 news names were released for the draft, it was confirmed that some players had made themselves available for only part of the tournament, which towards the back end clashes with new T20 tournaments in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.

Boult last week announced his decision to quit his central contract with New Zealand to make himself available for more franchise cricket around the world and looms as a star addition to this year’s BBL.

Also among the new nominations are a host of other well-known names from across the cricket world, including Carlos Brathwaite, Tom Curran, James Neesham, Wahab Riaz and Phil Salt.

Andre Russell is a big fish in the draft. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nominations for the draft officially closed overnight. The League is working with players and agents to verify all new nominations and availabilities.

“The number and quality of nominations for the KFC BBL|12 draft has blown us away and vindicates the decision to adopt this new, innovative model,” Cricket Australia Big Bash Leagues general manager Alistair Dobson said.

“Close to 280 players from around the world have elected to venture to Australia this summer and experience the best of the BBL and summer lifestyle our country offers.

“On behalf of the League and our clubs, we extend our thanks to all players and their agents around the world for their support of the draft and the BBL.

“We look forward with great anticipation to Sunday night’s draft event, which will be a watershed moment in the BBL’s history.”

On Sunday, Australian opener David Warner confirmed his return to the BBL after signing with the Sydney Thunder.

Faf du Plessis adds further star power to the draft. Picture: Ashley Allen/Getty Images

BIG BASH DRAFT PLATINUM PLAYERS

Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Jason Roy (England)

Liam Livingstone (England)

Sam Billings (England)

Kieron Pollard (West Indies)

Andre Russell (West Indies)

David Willey (England)

Shadab Khan (Pakistan)

Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Chris Jordan (England)

Trent Boult (New Zealand)