Cricket Australia (CA) has released the draft for the Big Bash 2024 men's and women's leagues. A total of 593 players, including 432 men and 161 women representing 30 countries, have submitted their names for the Big Bash League (BBL) auction.
Big Bash League
The BBL men's team draft includes some of the best fast bowlers in the world, including England's Jofra Archer and Pakistan's Haris Rauf. South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi and his compatriot Tabrez Shamsi are also included in the draft pool. Top order batsman Reeza Hendricks is also included in it.
Indian opener Smriti Mandhana will be seen playing for defending champions Adelaide Strikers in this season of the Women's Big Bash League. She has signed a pre-draft overseason contract with the franchise. She has become the first Indian player to do so. Apart from Mandhana, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemima Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma have also been included in the draft.
28-year-old Mandhana will be seen playing for the fourth team in the 10-year history of the league. Earlier, Mandhana has been a part of Brisbane Heat in 2016, Hobart Hurricanes in 2018-19, Sydney Thunders in 2021.
India's vice-captain Mandhana was not a part of this league in 2023. She had decided not to participate in the league due to workload management and domestic cricket. The current season of the league starts on September 1.
Women's BigBash Draft
England's Kate Cross and Lauren Filler are both available for the entire season for the women's draft. South Africa's fast bowler Shabnam Ismail, who could be retained by the Hobart Hurricanes.
Players from 30 different countries were called up for this year's BBL draft. This also includes players from emerging cricket nations such as Hong Kong, Uganda, Japan, Greece, Indonesia and Romania.
The draft also sees the return of several Big Bash icons. Haris Rauf, who could be retained by the Melbourne Stars. He has been nominated for 6-9 games and the final. His previous stint with the Stars was brilliant. He won many matches for the Melbourne Stars.
Full list of pre-signed players
- Adelaide Strikers: Smriti Mandhana, Ollie Pope
- Brisbane Heat: Nadine de Klerk, Colin Munro
- Hobart Hurricanes: Lizelle Lee, Chris Jordan Melbourne Renegades: Hayley Matthews, Tim Seifert
- Melbourne Stars: Marizanne Kapp, Tom Curran
- Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine, Finn Allen
- Sydney Sixers: Amelia Kerr, Akeal Hosein
- Sydney Thunder: Chamari Athapaththu, Sam Billings
Each team must select at least two foreign players in the four rounds of both drafts. Teams can select their favorite player from the already existing foreign players.
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