Big Bash, WBBL Drafts Attract Over 600 International Players

The 15th edition of Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) and the 11th season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) will hold their overseas player drafts on June 19, 2025, with over 600 international players registering interest. This year, the drafts have been moved to June to allow teams more time for strategic planning and squad building. Key international stars expected in the draft include Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan; England's Sam Curran, Alex Hales, Heather Knight, and Sophie Ecclestone; as well as India's Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey, and West Indies' Deandra Dottin. The draft system requires teams to pick at least three overseas players using salary bands ranging from Platinum to Bronze, with some teams having already secured pre-signed players who must still be picked in the draft. Brisbane Heat holds the first pick, and the draft will be broadcast live on several platforms, including Seven, FOX Sports, and Kayo Sports. The draft advances both leagues' global appeal by attracting top talent and offering franchises greater clarity in constructing competitive squads.