The world’s best players will begin signalling their intent to play in the Big Bash Leagues from today, with nominations for the Weber WBBL|10 and KFC BBL|14 Overseas Player Drafts now open.
The Sixers will look to add international firepower to their current rosters at the upcoming Drafts, with the hopes of securing another coveted Big Bash title for the club.
Now into its third year, the BBL Draft attracted over 300 nominations in each of its first two iterations, while the inaugural WBBL Draft last year saw 122 players nominate.
Sydney Sixers WBBL|09, BBL|13 Draft selections:
WBBL|09: Chloe Tryon (Platinum), Jess Kerr (Bronze)
BBL|13: Tom Curran (Platinum – retention), James Vince (Gold), Rehan Ahmed (Bronze)
Clubs will now have the ability to take up to four overseas players in total by the completion of the Draft – an increase from three in previous seasons – with the fourth player to be considered a Replacement Player for a Primary Squad member.
The four overseas players can be made up of drafted players (players selected at the Draft), plus those signed before Draft night under the League’s new multi-year contract provision.
Under the multi-year provision, clubs are able to sign a maximum of one overseas player per competition for up to three years prior to the Draft taking place, securing overseas talent for clubs on a longer-term basis, while the remaining players selected on Draft night are contracted for one year as per the rules of previous seasons.
Sydney Sixers General Manager, Rachael Haynes said:
“The club is very much looking forward to the Overseas Player Drafts later this year.
“We’re really pleased with where both of our lists are currently sitting and there’s going to be a great opportunity to strengthen our sides even further with some of the world’s best talent at the Drafts.
Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson, said:
“The appeal of an Australian summer has made the KFC BBL and Weber WBBL destinations of choice for the world’s best players for over a decade.
“Off the back of a successful 2023-24 summer, which saw growth in crowds and audiences alongside exciting cricket, we know many of these players can’t wait to return this summer.
“We look forward to welcoming nominations from Big Bash favourites and new faces alike ahead of the Drafts later in the year.”
The contracting window for KFC BBL|14 and Weber WBBL|10 is now open. Clubs can sign and trade domestic players in addition to signing one international per list on a multi-year contract.
The first group of player nominations will be announced soon, alongside a date and broadcast details for the Drafts.
Sydney Sixers Weber WBBL|10 squad: Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Kate Pelle, Ellyse Perry, Kate Peterson.
Sydney Sixers KFC BBL|14 squad: Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk.