Harry Brook, who once showcased his talent with the Hobart Hurricanes, and Heather Knight, the women’s T20 champion with Sydney Thunder last year, are two standout names among the 19 English players who’ve been handpicked in the Big Bash League (BBL) draft.
For the women’s T20 league, eight English players found their names on the inaugural draft list, with team captain Heather Knight rejoining Sydney Thunder. On the men’s side, Brook landed the second draft pick, securing a spot with the Melbourne Stars.
In addition to these top choices, eleven more male English players got the green light, including bowler Chris Jordan, who will play for Hobart Hurricanes, and batter Alex Hales, who’s staying with Sydney Thunder for another season.
Now in its 12th year, the men’s BBL has conducted its overseas draft for the second time. The tournament will span from December 7 to January 24, which complicates Brook’s schedule as England will be on a white-ball series tour of the West Indies from December 3-21, followed by a five-Test series in India starting January 25.
But the English influence doesn’t end there. Players like leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, all-rounder Tom Curran, and batter James Vince—a two-time BBL champion—have been drafted by Sydney Sixers. Meanwhile, Perth Scorchers, the back-to-back champions, retained Surrey batter Laurie Evans and signed England Test opener Zak Crawley.
The Adelaide Strikers decided to keep Warwickshire batter Adam Hose while bringing in Surrey bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton, who recently took home the “Player of the Tournament” honors in this year’s Hundred competition.
England’s wicketkeeper Sam Billings and all-rounder Paul Walter from Essex have joined the Brisbane Heat squad. Warwickshire batter Sam Hain will team up with Chris Jordan at the Hurricanes.
Interestingly, the Melbourne Stars had their eyes set on Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan for the second consecutive year as their first draft pick. However, the Strikers decided to keep him, pushing the Stars to settle for Brook.
And it’s not just England in the spotlight. South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock will make his BBL debut with Melbourne Renegades.
A whopping 376 players from around the globe threw their hats in the ring for the draft, with 21 overseas players finally making the cut. Notably, New Zealand batter Martin Guptill and former South African skipper Faf du Plessis were left hanging.
In the women’s league, South Africa’s all-rounder Marizanne Kapp was the top pick for Sydney Thunder after being let go by Perth Scorchers, who decided to retain New Zealand’s Sophie Devine. England opener Danni Wyatt will also don Scorchers colors this season.
Other notable female players like Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, and Maia Bouchier have also secured their spots. While some English talents like Kate Cross, Issy Wong, and Sarah Glenn found themselves on the sideline, others like Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, and Sophia Dunkley chose to bypass the draft, opting instead for direct contract negotiations.
The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), currently in its ninth season, will run from October 19 to December 2.
So, buckle up, cricket fans! The Big Bash League is about to get a whole lot more British—and a dash more international—this year!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Big Bash League Draft
Who are the notable English players selected in the Big Bash League draft?
Harry Brook and Heather Knight are among the standout English players selected in the Big Bash League draft. Brook, a male cricketer, was the second draft pick for Melbourne Stars. Heather Knight, the women’s captain, rejoined Sydney Thunder, a team she won the championship with in 2021.
How many English players were drafted in total?
In total, 19 English players were drafted for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League. This includes both men and women, with eight females and eleven males making the cut.
When will the men’s Big Bash League take place?
The men’s Big Bash League is scheduled to run from December 7, 2021, to January 24, 2022. This marks the 12th season of the men’s BBL.
Will Harry Brook’s availability be affected due to England’s other tours?
Yes, Harry Brook’s availability could be limited because England is set to tour the West Indies for a white-ball series from December 3-21. Following that, England will travel to India for a five-Test series starting on January 25.
Which other international players made it to the BBL draft?
Apart from English players, South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock will make his debut with Melbourne Renegades. In total, 21 overseas players were selected from the 376 who applied.
How many players participated in the draft?
A whopping 376 players threw their hats in the ring for the Big Bash League draft. This number includes both men and women, and cricketers from various countries.
What about the Women’s Big Bash League?
The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), now in its ninth season, will run from October 19 to December 2. Heather Knight and South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp are among the top draft picks.
Are there any prominent players who were not selected in the draft?
Yes, notably New Zealand batter Martin Guptill and former South African skipper Faf du Plessis were among those who did not get selected in the draft.
What is the direct nomination stage in the WBBL?
In the Women’s Big Bash League, players like Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, and Sophia Dunkley opted for the direct nomination stage. This allows teams to negotiate a contract with these players outside of the draft process.
Which teams made the most interesting picks in the draft?
Perth Scorchers, who have won the title for the past two years, retained Laurie Evans and signed Zak Crawley. Adelaide Strikers kept Adam Hose and signed Jamie Overton, the “Player of the Tournament” in this year’s Hundred.
More about Big Bash League Draft
- Big Bash League Official Website
- List of All-Time English Cricketers in BBL
- Heather Knight’s Career Stats
- Harry Brook’s Career Overview
- Details about The Hundred Tournament
- ICC Rankings and Player Profiles
- Women’s Big Bash League Official Site
- 2021-2022 BBL and WBBL Draft Results
- England Cricket Board Official Website
- International Cricket Tours and Fixtures
8 comments
12th year of men’s BBL? Feels like it started just yesterday. Time flies, just like those sixes will, especially with this line-up.
Oh man, Martin Guptill not gettin picked? Tough break. BBL teams are gonna regret not having that kind of firepower.
Perth Scorchers retaining their champs while signing new talent? They’re clearly eyein’ a three-peat. Those guys mean business.
Between lectures, assignments, and now the BBL, who even needs sleep? This season’s gonna be lit.
Wish there was a BBL anthem, something to set the mood ya know. But hey, the action is gonna be music to my ears anyways!
omg I need to sync the BBL schedule with my smart home setup. Imagine watching a match with automated mood lighting based on which team is winning. The future is here folks!
Woah, 19 English players in BBL? That’s gotta make things interesting! I can’t wait for the season to start. Heather Knight is such a boss!
Who needs a blockbuster movie when you have BBL and WBBL? Pass the popcorn, this is going to be epic. Harry Brook, let’s goooo!