Following the success of the inaugural KFC Big Bash League Overseas Player Draft last summer, the concept will be mirrored in the WBBL with clubs eligible to draft up to three overseas players.
Nominees will enter the draft under Gold, Silver and Bronze payment bands, before the League determines which players receive ‘Platinum’ status.
The new rules are underpinned by an uplift in total payment pools for Clubs and include the introduction of minimum marquee player requirements, a WBBL Overseas Player Draft, and mechanisms to support BBL clubs signing Cricket Australia contracted players.
Through these new rules and player payment uplifts, the best local and overseas talents are set to earn more in the WBBL and MBBL than ever before.
The draft order, along with player nominations and the date of the draft will be announced at a later date.
The changes have come about as part of the new five-year MOU between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA).
To maximise the opportunity of Cricket Australia (CA contracted) players participating in the W/MBBL, mechanisms have been introduced to support Clubs signing contracted players while acknowledging their varying availability.
Clubs will also be permitted to bring forward a portion of their total payment pool from the following season to pay national players if their availability changes.
CA contracted players who at the time of the contracting period are not expected to be available for the W/MBBL season can be signed on a Marquee Supplementary List.
These players can be moved to the Primary List of 18 should they become available throughout the season. Clubs will be limited to two players on their Marquee Supplementary list.
Alistair Dobson, General Manager, Big Bash Leagues said:
“The new player contracting rules and uplift in Total Payment Pools will allow both the Weber WBBL and KFC BBL to remain internationally competitive in an increasingly dynamic market.
“The introduction of marquee player thresholds is instrumental in ensuring we continue to attract top-class overseas talent while rewarding our home-grown stars.
“We’re excited to be launching a WBBL Overseas Player Draft and welcome the return of the Draft to BBL. With top international players able to earn more in the Big Bash Leagues than ever before, there’s no doubt clubs will have a high calibre group of players to choose from.
“A key focus has been to further optimise the ability and opportunity for BBL teams to sign Australian contracted players onto their lists. The variable availability of these players from season to season due to national commitments, has often made it challenging for Clubs to contract these players given impacts on salary caps and squad lists. These challenges have been addressed through specific mechanisms available to clubs and we hope to see many of Australia’s top talent play in the Big Bash.
“I’d like to acknowledge and thank the ACA for their support, participation and creativity when exploring how to continue innovating the WBBL and BBL and set up the competition for the years to come.
“Cricket is a fast moving, global market and we are confident these new contracting rules will ensure the Big Bash Leagues remain world-class and we will continue to see some of the most explosive T20 players on Australia soil throughout the summer period.”