Big Bash contracting embargo lifted

As announced by Cricket Australia, clubs can add further domestic and international players to their list via direct signing from 9am AEST today.

The direct signing model replaces the Overseas Player Draft used in the previous four seasons, with clubs able to sign up to three overseas players to their primary list. There is no minimum number of overseas players required.

Clubs will again be competing to lock in some of the world’s best T20 talent under the rule that allows them to sign one international player to a multi-year deal. As it stands, Sydney Thunder’s Sam Billings is the only international player in the BBL currently on a multi-year deal, with this being the final year of his contract.  

Additionally, the minimum number of Marquee Players required (previously six players above $212,242 in BBL, five players above $53,060 in WBBL) has been lowered to optimise the player contracting structure. This season clubs must have a minimum of three domestic marquee players per team in both BBL and WBBL. 

This change will reshape salary distribution and provide Clubs with greater flexibility to make deeper strategic and tactical decisions as they build their lists. 

The top six players at each club for BBL|16 must still collectively be paid at least $1.7m of the $3.18m salary cap, while for WBBL|12 the top five players must collectively be paid at least $439,000 ($772,466 salary cap).

This will evolve in future seasons, with the top four players at each club to be collectively paid at least $1.4m in BBL|17 and $400,000 in WBBL|13, and each club required to contract at least two domestic marquee players. 

Clubs can have a maximum squad size of 18 players in KFC BBL|16 and 15 players in Weber WBBL|12. 

Sydney Thunder currently have eight spots to fill in the men’s squad and seven in the women’s.  

Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said;  

“Over the last two months, the caliber of international players we have been talking to in both WBBL and BBL is as good as I’ve ever experienced.  

“We obviously haven’t been able to action anything yet, but I'm confident you’re going to see world class players in each competition with a clear ambition of lifting both trophies.  

“I’ve had multiple strategy meetings with Lisa Keightley and Andrew Flintoff along with the other leaders of our playing group and feel we’re in an unbelievable spot, if we can lock in the plans we’ve talked about.”

Alistair Dobson, Executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues said: 

“This is really exciting time for both competitions as Clubs look to get a jump on the opposition in building their squads for the upcoming season. 

“The Overseas Player Draft was designed to attract the best available players to our Leagues and drove significant interest and engagement, and we certainly consider it to be a major success.

“In recent times we’ve seen a shift in the player market and our Clubs now require greater flexibility to be more strategic and tactical in how they build their lists. 

“For that reason, we believe a direct signing model for all players and an optimised marquee contracting structure is ideal and will provide Clubs with freedom and optionality in an evolving and competitive market. 

“We want the world’s best players to be part of our Leagues and for every player to have the opportunity to attract market rate and competitive offers in what is an increasingly dynamic market. 

“We believe the adjustments to the contracting model will ensure the competition continues to attract world-class talent while also rewarding homegrown stars. 

“Our thanks go to our Big Bash clubs and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their collaboration ahead of our biggest season yet.” 

Contracted for WBBL|12: 

Head Coach: Lisa Keightley

Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Hasrat Gill, Laura Harris, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson 

Sydney Thunder BBL|16 Squad:  

Head Coach: Andrew Flintoff

Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (ENG), Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Sam Konstas, Matthew Gilkes, Aidan O’Connor, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner