BBL and WBL Drafts: All You Need to Know

As the cricketing world gears up for another thrilling season, the spotlight is on the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) drafts. Scheduled for September 1, 2024, these drafts are set to shape the teams that will compete in the 2024-2025 seasons. Here’s an in-depth look at the key details, rules, and what fans can expect from these highly anticipated events.

BBL and WBBL Drafts Date and Schedule

Both the BBL and WBBL drafts will take place on the same day, September 1, 2024. The WBBL draft will kick off at 3 pm AEST, instantly followed by the BBL draft. This back-to-back scheduling ensures a day full of excitement as teams finalize their rosters ahead of the new season.

Draft Order and Structure

The order in which teams pick players is crucial, and it has been specified by a weighted lottery system based on the teams’ standings from the prior season. The Hobart Hurricanes clamp the first pick in the WBBL draft, while the Melbourne Stars will make the first selection in the BBL draft.

Each draft consists of four rounds, with clear rules governing which players can be picked in each round:

Round 1: Exclusively for Platinum players.
Round 2: Open to both Platinum and Gold players.
Round 3: Features Gold and Silver players.
Round 4: For Silver and Bronze players.

A unique aspect of the draft is the reverse order used in the third round. This represents the team that had the last pick in the first round will have the first pick in the third round, adding a strategic layer to the selection procedure.

The round one WBBL order reads: 1 Hobart Hurricanes, 2 Sydney Sixers, 3 Melbourne Renegades, 4 Melbourne Stars, 5 Sydney Thunder, 6 Adelaide Strikers, 7 Brisbane Heat, 8 Perth Scorchers

The round one BBL order reads: 1 Melbourne Stars, 2 Melbourne Renegades, 3 Sydney Thunder, 4 Hobart Hurricanes, 5 Adelaide Strikers, 6 Brisbane Heat, 7 Perth Scorchers, 8 Sydney Sixers.

Player Retention and Pre-Signed Rules

Teams have a choice to use a “retention pick” to keep a player who was either part of their squad last season or had signed but didn’t play. This retention system lets teams to maintain some continuity in their rosters.

Besides, clubs have already pre-signed one overseas player before the draft. These pre-signed players are slotted into rounds based on the value of their contracts. For example, a high-value contract would place a player in a higher round. This pre-draft signing is a strategic action that allows teams to hook key talent early on.

Trade Adjustments and Flexibility

Trades are a notable part of the BBL and WBBL drafts. For example, in the BBL, the Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder traded their second-round picks, while in the WBBL, the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades made similar trade moves. These trades can have a substantial impact on how teams build their signups, allowing them to manoeuvre for better draft positions or acquire specific players.

Overseas Player Rules and Commitments

Each team must draft at least two overseas players, in addition to their pre-signed overseas players. Teams can opt to draft a fourth overseas player, but they will be deemed a replacement player, as only three overseas players can be in the playing XI at any given time. Replacement players can be contracted post-draft, but they must have been nominated for the draft unless authorised under special circumstances.

Player availability is a critical factor, particularly with the congested international cricket schedule and overlapping T20 leagues such as the ILT20 and SA20. While most pre-signed players are committed to the full season, including finals, this commitment will become mandatory from the 2025-26 season.

Player Payment Bands

The financial aspect of the draft is also structured, with players categorized into different payment bands. For the WBBL, the bands are:

Platinum: $110,000
Gold: $90,000
Silver: $65,000
Bronze: Up to $40,000

For the BBL, the payment bars are higher, reflecting the larger scale of the league:

Platinum: $360,000-$420,000
Gold: $300,000
Silver: $200,000
Bronze: Up to $100,000

These payment bands play a significant role in how teams approach the draft, balancing their budget while trying to secure top talent.

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

Schedules and Competition Format Changes

The WBBL will run from October 27 to December 1, 2024, while the BBL will take place from December 15, 2024, to January 27, 2025. To better handle player availability and avoid overlaps with other contests, both competitions have been reduced to 40-game regular seasons.

This deduction is part of a broader strategy to adapt to the increasingly packed global cricket calendar. For example, the ILT20 has moved its beginning date forward to accommodate the Champions Trophy, further complicating player availability for the BBL.

Impact of International Cricket

International commitments will greatly impact the availability of players for both the WBBL and BBL. For example, series like India vs. New Zealand and South Africa vs. England are planned to run concurrently with the leagues, potentially limiting the participation of star players.

This overlapping has been a recurring challenge, and teams will need to navigate these problems carefully to preserve a competitive edge throughout the season.

The Significance of BBL and WBBL Drafts

The BBL and WBBL drafts are more than just a formality—they are pivotal in shaping the forthcoming season. Teams must counterbalance their strategies, considering player availability, financial constraints, and the intricate dynamics of the draft order and trades.

As fans eagerly anticipate the new season, these drafts will set the stage for what promises to be another exciting chapter in the history of the BBL and WBBL. Whether it’s the read-made stars or the emerging players, the drafts will decide who gets to shine on one of cricket’s biggest stages.