The Big Bash League has today announced a new batch of world-class cricketers who have nominated for the upcoming Weber WBBL and KFC BBL Overseas Player Drafts.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, is available on request. Contact Kate Warnock - 0419 316 135
A list of top-tier nominations has been unveiled for the first Weber WBBL Overseas Player Draft, reinforcing the competitions’ status as a favourite amongst the world’s best cricketers. Cricket powerhouse and Proteas all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has put her name forward for selection in the Draft. One of the world’s best cricketers and potential Perth Scorchers retention pick, Kapp has played over 100 WBBL games and will be looking to add to that number this summer.
Fellow Proteas players Laura Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Anneke Bosch and Tazmin Brits have also put their hands up for selection as well as former South Africaplayer and captain Dane van Niekerk. Wolvaardt (Strikers), Tryon (Thunder) and de Klerk (Heat) are eligible for retention picks, while van Niekerk, Bosch and Brits can be picked up without retention by any club.
On the men’s side, the KFC BBL Draft has a list of outstanding nominations, ensuring an electrifying season ahead. Sam Billings and David Willey are returning to the BBL Draft after both were selected as a first round Platinum pick last year. Billings was drafted by the Brisbane Heat at pick four, while Willey was selected by the Sydney Thunder at pick seven but withdrew ahead of the BBL|12 season.
The English talent continues to roll in with Dawid Malan, the number one ranked ICC Men’s All-time T20I batter nominating. With over 8500 T20 career runs to his name, if selected, BBL|13 will mark Malan’s second appearance in the competition.
Ashes opening batter Zak Crawley, who scored an impressive 189 runs in the first innings of the fourth test, has nominated after making his first appearance in the BBL with the Hurricanes last season. Batting star Harry Brook, who recently set the record for the fastest century in The Hundred scoring 105 runs off 42 balls, has also put his name forward for selection.
Joe Clarke (Stars), Will Jacks, Dan Lawrence, James Vince (Sixers), Tom Curran (Sixers), Ollie Pope, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton (Heat) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore are also among the English talent hoping to be selected in the second BBL Overseas Player Draft.
Rounding out the latest players to be announced are BBL favourite and Renegades retention option Martin Guptill, and his fellow countryman and big-hitter, Jimmy Neesham (Hurricanes).
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said:
"The anticipation for the upcoming Draft is well and truly building. We have no doubt clubs will be faced with tough decisions given the abundance of top talent from across the globe to choose from.
“We are excited to see such an impressive lineup of players expressing their interest in being part of the upcoming Big Bash seasons via the Draft and look forward to releasing the final names and full list of player nominations on Monday.”
The Weber WBBL and KFC BBL Overseas Player Drafts will be broadcast on Fox Cricket on September 3. The full list of players to nominate for this year’s Drafts will be announced next Monday August 28. The players selected for the Platinum category of each Draft will be announced Wednesday August 30.