By Zainab Shafiq 
The countdown is on as cricket fans eagerly await the BBL and WBBL drafts for the 2025–26 season, which take place on Thursday, June 19. The Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) are once again preparing to welcome the best overseas talents from around the world — and this year’s drafts are packed with changes, star names, and a revised timeline to secure top players.
Whether you’re new to the draft system or looking for a refresher, here’s everything you need to know about the BBL and WBBL drafts, from the pick orders to player payments and international availability.
When Will the Drafts Take Place?
- WBBL Draft: Thursday, June 19 at 4 PM AEST
- BBL Draft: Begins right after the WBBL draft
Draft Order: Who Picks First?
Draft orders were decided in April via a weighted lottery based on last season’s standings. Here’s how it looks:
WBBL Round 1 Order
| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney Sixers |
| 2 | Adelaide Strikers |
| 3 | Melbourne Stars |
| 4 | Perth Scorchers |
| 5 | Hobart Hurricanes |
| 6 | Sydney Thunder |
| 7 | Melbourne Renegades |
| 8 | Brisbane Heat |
BBL Round 1 Order
| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brisbane Heat |
| 2 | Adelaide Strikers |
| 3 | Melbourne Renegades |
| 4 | Perth Scorchers |
| 5 | Hobart Hurricanes |
| 6 | Sydney Sixers |
| 7 | Melbourne Stars |
| 8 | Sydney Thunder |
Note: Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder have traded picks in rounds 2 and 3 of the BBL draft.
Salary Bands for Drafted Players
WBBL Salary Bands (AUD)
- Platinum: $110,000
- Gold: $90,000
- Silver: $65,000
- Bronze: Up to $40,000
BBL Salary Bands (AUD)
- Platinum: $360,000–$420,000
- Gold: $300,000
- Silver: $200,000
- Bronze: Up to $100,000
How Does the Draft Work?
There are four rounds in each draft:
- Round 1: Platinum players only
- Round 2: Platinum + Gold
- Round 3: Gold + Silver (in reverse order)
- Round 4: Silver + Bronze
Each team must pick at least two overseas players during the draft, with the flexibility to pre-sign one overseas player before the event. Clubs can pass in one round only.
Teams also have the option to draft a fourth player as a replacement, although only three overseas players can feature in a match-day XI.
Pre-Signed Overseas Players by Team
| Team | Pre-Signed Players |
|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | Laura Wolvaardt, Jamie Overton |
| Brisbane Heat | Nadine de Klerk, Colin Munro |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Chris Jordan (plus one TBC) |
| Melbourne Renegades | Hayley Matthews, Tim Seifert |
| Melbourne Stars | Marizanne Kapp, Tom Curran |
| Perth Scorchers | Sophie Devine, Finn Allen |
| Sydney Sixers | Amelia Kerr, Babar Azam |
| Sydney Thunder | Chamari Athapaththu, Sam Billings |
Notable Overseas Players Nominated
Some of the biggest names in world cricket have put their names forward for the BBL and WBBL drafts:
From Pakistan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Shadab Khan
From England
- Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Alex Hales
- Dawid Malan, Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone
- Lauren Bell, Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley
- Sophie Ecclestone, Alice Capsey, and more
Others
- Kane Williamson (3 games), Tim Southee (NZ)
- Kusal Perera (SL), Mustafizur Rahman (BAN)
- Deandra Dottin (WI), Fatima Sana (PAK)
Can Players Be Retained?
Yes — each club can retain one overseas player, generally from the previous season. Retention is subject to how the pre-signed players are allocated. Once a team uses a pick to confirm a pre-signed player’s round, they can’t retain another player in that round.
Tournament Schedule
- WBBL: Late October to early December
- BBL: Mid-December to late January
- Official fixtures are expected by July.
Scheduling Conflicts & Player Availability
- The WBBL will run after the Women’s ODI World Cup, with minimal clashes.
- The BBL overlaps with ILT20 and SA20, which could affect player availability.
- However, BBL officials believe the new schedule may improve access to overseas stars in the crucial later stages of the season.
“We understand from players, they still love coming to the BBL. It’s a bucket list for a lot of them.” – Alistair Dobson, BBL Boss
Final Word
With over 600 overseas players registered, the BBL and WBBL drafts promise to be among the most competitive and star-studded yet. The early scheduling and revised draft mechanisms mean teams are better equipped to build strong squads ahead of the 2025–26 season.