Several English players, including Ben Duckett and Laurie Evans, were selected for the 14th Big Bash League (BBL). After playing for Brisbane Heat in 2021–22, Duckett was selected first by Melbourne Stars (platinum category), while Laurie Evans was taken by Melbourne Renegades, however Perth Scorchers decided not to use their retention selection for him.
Although James Vince was not available for the entire season, Sydney Sixers utilised the retention selection to acquire their opener back from the Renegades, who had pick No. 2. The West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein, who the Sixers pre-signed despite his limited availability of seven games, was given a gold category slot. The Sixers were last in the order of selection for the first two rounds. In addition to selecting England batsman Jacob Bethell, who has been called up for the first time for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia, the Renegades also selected Evans.
For the first time in the competition, Shai Hope was chosen. He was selected by the Hobart Hurricanes in the platinum category, demonstrating the impact of head coach Ricky Ponting, who worked with Hope while at the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024. The Hurricanes also selected Chris Jordan, a two-year pre-signed player, for the platinum category, and Rishad Hossain, a legspinner from Bangladesh, completed their draft. After making his debut for Bangladesh in the T20I format last year, Rishad will be playing in his first T20 competition outside of the Bangladesh Premier League, the BBL.
Paul Walter, a tall, left-arm fast bowler, was acquired by the defending champions Heat in the second round following their platinum category pre-signing of Colin Munro. Topping their selections was Tom Alsop, a batter with the Sussex and Trent Rockets who was in for his first BBL. In addition to Duckett, the Stars signed a two-year contract with Tom Curran, a second player to the platinum category, and chose Usama Mir, a legspinner from Pakistan.
The Adelaide Strikers selected West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen in the third round and all-rounder Jamie Overton in the platinum category after pre-signing Ollie Pope in the golden category. Sydney Thunder selected New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (also platinum) and West Indies finisher Sherfane Rutherford (silver) and awarded the platinum category to pre-signing Sam Billings.
Over the last two rounds, up to seven teams decided not to make selections, but the Scorchers took a slightly unconventional approach. Following Jos Buttler’s injury, Lancashire wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Hurst started the batting with Phil Salt in the men’s Hundred for Manchester Originals, making 149 runs at a strike rate of 161.95. Keaton Jennings was the Scorchers’ final selection of the night. Shortly after, Yorkshire legspinner Jafer Chohan was selected by the Sixers as their last player. This year, he had taken 17 wickets in the T20 Blast.
Overall, 14 English players will be part of BBL 14.
How the BBL draft played out
Melbourne Stars: Ben Duckett (platinum), Tom Curran (pre-signed, platinum), Usama Mir (silver)
Melbourne Renegades: Laurie Evans (platinum), Jacob Bethell (gold), Tim Seifert (pre-signed, gold)
Sydney Thunder: Lockie Ferguson (platinum), Sam Billings (pre-signed, platinum), Sherfane Rutherford (silver)
Hobart Hurricanes: Shai Hope (platinum), Chris Jordan (pre-signed, platinum), Rishad Hossain (bronze)
Adelaide Strikers: Jamie Overton (platinum), Ollie Pope (pre-signed, gold), Fabian Allen (silver)
Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro (pre-signed, platinum), Paul Walter (gold), Tom Alsop (bronze)
Perth Scorchers: Finn Allen (pre-signed, platinum), Matthew Hurst (silver), Keaton Jennings (bronze)
Sydney Sixers: James Vince (retained, platinum), Akeal Hosein (pre-signed, gold), Jafer Chohan (bronze)