All you need to know about the 2024-25 BBL and WBBL drafts

The Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 will take place later this year for both men's and women's teams. Ahead of the tournament, the drafts for both competitions will be held as all eight teams aim to secure the services of overseas players for the upcoming edition.  

The drafts will be held this Sunday, September 1, in Melbourne, Australia. The WBBL will start first, at 3 pm AEST, followed by the BBL draft. Let's take an in-depth look at BBL drafts, how it works and the progress so far.

Also Read: Cricket Australia introduces two game changing rules ahead of new season of BBL and WBBL

How does the draft work?

The draft rules are the same for both WBBL and BBL. All 10 teams will alternately select from the available players across four rounds. Round 1 includes only Platinum players; Round 2 Platinum and Gold players; Round 3 Gold and Silver; and the final round involves Silver and Bronze.

The first pick was already determined by a weighted lottery a few months ago based on last season's finishing positions. In the WBBL, Hobart Hurricanes have the first pick, while Melbourne Stars will pick first for the second year in a row for the BBL.  

Price bands of BBL and WBBL players 

WBBL

Platinum: $110,000 (depending on availability)

Gold: $90,000

Silver: $65,000

Bronze: up to $40,000

BBL

Platinum: $360,000-$420,000 (depending on availability)

Gold: $300,000

Silver: $200,000

Bronze: up to $100,000

How many overseas players will be drafted?

About 600 overseas players from 30 countries have registered for the draft. It includes players from all the major cricketing nations as well as players from Hong Kong, Uganda, Japan, Greece, Indonesia and Romania.

It is learned that 161 players are up for selection in the WBBL and 432 men in the BBL. According to the rule, each team is required to draft at least two foreign players on top of their pre-signed names. Clubs can also sign a fourth overseas player during the draft, but only a maximum of three players can be fielded in an XI so they will be considered as a replacement player.

Also Read: Afghanistan star all-rounder Rashid Khan set to miss BBL for two years straight; Still holds a grudge?

Here is the complete list of pre-signed players for BBL and WBBL

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