Mock Draft: Who we think each BBL club will pick

Welcome to cricket.com.au's first ever BBL mock draft where we try and predict which overseas stars each club will select to represent their team this summer.

But first, there's a few BBL|12 Draft rules that will guide our phantom selections:

– Each club must make a minimum of two picks and a maximum of three across the four rounds, meaning they will need to pass at least once.

– Only the 12 players allocated 'platinum' status can be selected in round one.

– Platinum and gold band players can be selected in round two, gold and silver in round three, and silver and bronze in round four.

– Each club is entitled to one 'retention pick' to override another team's selection, in order to keep a player that played for their club during the previous season.

– The draft order will follow a 'snake' format from the second round; the Hurricanes for example, who have the last pick in round two, will have the first pick in round three.

The actual KFC BBL|12 will get underway at 6.30pm on Sunday, August 28 and will be broadcast live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports.

1. Liam Livingstone – Melbourne Renegades (PLATINUM)

T20 Career record | M: 200 | R: 4,967 | SR: 146.38 | HS: 103 | W: 83 | ER: 8.11 | BB: 4-17

The Renegades said they would take the very best player with pick one and Liam Livingstone is exactly that. He hits the ball extremely hard, has the most sixes in world T20 cricket since the start of 2021 (152) and bowls a handy combination of leg and off-spin. He could open along with Aaron Finch to supercharge the innings, or slot in nicely behind veteran Shaun Marsh with the short square boundaries at Marvel Stadium an enticing prospect for the destructive Englishman.

2. Trent Boult – Melbourne Stars (PLATINUM)

M: 167 | W: 193 | ER: 8.13 | BB: 4-18 | 4WI: 2

A big-name quick is always high on the Stars' agenda with overseas superstars Lasith Malinga and Haris Rauf having played for the club in the past, so who better to continue that trend than the world's top-ranked ODI bowler. Boult, who was released from his central contract with New Zealand Cricket earlier this month so he could free up time to play in T20 domestic leagues, would certainly prove a handful with a new ball under lights at the MCG. The Stars domestic fast bowling stocks include Nathan Coulter-Nile, Billy Stanlake, Brody Couch and Liam Hatcher. Adding a world-class bowler like Boult elevates this area for the club.

3. Faf du Plessis – Brisbane Heat (PLATINUM)

M: 299 | R: 7,703 | SR: 129.59 | HS: 120no | 100s: 3 | 50s: 49

The temptation to take Andre Russell will be strong, but having parted ways with Chris Lynn during the off-season, the Heat are in need of another box-office opener. Du Plessis would more than fill that void until new recruit Usman Khawaja is available after the Sydney Test. The South African's leadership experience at international level and in T20 leagues around the world, including in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) with Royal Challengers Bangalore, would provide Jimmy Peirson with an invaluable mentor as he takes on the role while Khawaja is on national duty.

4. Rashid Khan – Adelaide Strikers (RETENTION PICK – PLATIUNUM)

M: 343 | W: 472 | ER: 6.39 | BB: 6-17 | R: 1,606 | SR: 147.06 | HS: 56no

Someone has to force the Strikers to use their retention pick to keep the Afghanistan superstar and the Sixers need a spinner to complement veteran Steve O'Keefe, so why not have a stab at Rashid. No doubt Strikers head coach Jason Gillespie will raise the paddle quicker than one of his heyday deliveries, with the club desperate to keep the world's best T20 leg-spinner in Adelaide. Rashid will again bowl in tandem with another leggie this season, with the Strikers recruiting Cameron Boyce from the Renegades during the off-season.

5. Shadab Khan – Sydney Sixers (PLATINUM)

M: 200 | W: 226 | ER: 7.26 | BB: 5-28 | R: 1,829 | SR: 136.39 | HS: 91

The Sixers still need a spinner and Shadab is the next best in the draft. The Pakistan leggie's time at the club was cut short last season due to international duties, and while he is again likely to miss a few games in mid-January with ODI and T20 series against New Zealand and West Indies, Shadab has the second-best availability of the platinum-level players.

6. David Willey – Perth Scorchers (PLATINUM)

M: 231 | W: 232 | ER: 7.92 | BB: 4-7 | 4WI: 4

The platinum-level player with the best availability is David Willey, and the Scorchers are renowned for prioritising overseas players who can play the entire season. Willey would be a nice fit for the Scorchers having previously played for the club from BBL|05 to BBL|08 and is yet to be recruited by rival leagues in the UAE and South Africa, meaning he could be available for all 14 regular season games, plus finals. Adding Willey into an already elite bowling attack of Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, AJ Tye and Jason Behrendorff would give any opposition batter nightmares.

7. Andre Russell – Sydney Thunder (PLATINUM)

M: 418 | R: 7,057 | SR: 169.47 | HS: 121no | W: 375 | ER: 8.53 | BB: 5-15

'Dre Russ' loves Sydney Showground Stadium. It was his home ground with the Thunder in 2015-16 and 2016-17, and last season he whacked 42no off 21 balls to help the Stars down his old club at the venue. Russell is one of the cleanest strikers on the T20 circuit and the Thunder are lacking a strong batting allrounder option with Chris Green and Daniel Sams predominately bowling options. If he slides this far in the draft, it will be an absolute steal for the Thunder.

8. Kieron Pollard – Hobart Hurricanes (PLATINUM)

M: 604 | R: 11,783 | SR: 151.14 | HS: 104 | W: 309 | ER: 8.21 | BB: 4-15

The Hurricanes were very unlucky to draw pick eight after having the best chance of getting pick four owning to their Eliminator final defeat last season. But we think they should make the most of a bad situation and select the best of the platinum players still available. And that's West Indies great Kieron Pollard. The Hurricanes are well stocked in the batting and pace bowling departments with Tim David, Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott, D'Arcy Short, Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Joel Paris already on their books for BBL|12, but the experience Pollard brings as a power-hitting allrounder will complement the squad nicely. Pollard is the only player to have played more than 600 T20 matches and has the second-most career titles with 15 behind Dwayne Bravo's 16, which could be the omen the Hurricanes need to win their maiden BBL crown.

9. Mujeeb ur Rahman – Brisbane Heat (RETENTION PICK – GOLD)

M: 178 | W: 196 | ER: 6.65 | BB: 5-15 | 5WI: 2 | 4WI: 3

The Renegades flagged they would be targeting a front-line spinner in the draft and we believe they'll make a play on Mujeeb. But the Afghan finger-spinner has played the past four seasons at the Heat, and despite the likelihood that Mitch Swepson will be available for the entire season due to the relaxation of COVID bubbles around the Test squad, Brisbane can't go wrong using their retention pick to add a world-class bowler to their squad.

10. Chris Jordan – Melbourne Renegades (GOLD)

M: 292 | W: 305 | ER: 8.56 | BB: 4-6 | 4WI: 5

While they missed out on a spinner, the Renegades could also use an extra quick and Jordan shapes as the next best bowler still available in the draft pool. The 33-year-old right-armer would help offset the loss of James Pattinson during the off-season who wants to spend more time with family over Christmas. Adding Jordan alongside experienced Australian quick Kane Richardson and new recruit Tom Rogers would suddenly give the 'Gades a solid pace attack.

11. Sam Billings – Sydney Thunder (RETENTION PICK – GOLD)

M: 240 | R: 4,597 | SR: 130.04 | HS: 95no | 50s: 24 | Ct: 132 | St: 23

The Stars need a 'keeper-bat after the retirement of Seb Gotch to a chronic finger injury and Sam Billings is the best in the talent pool. But the Thunder also need a gloveman with only Baxter Holt and part-time wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes in their squad. Billings also offers more with the bat, with a proven record at international level and franchise T20 cricket around the world. He's played the past two seasons with the Thunder and we expect they will have him back in a heartbeat.

12. Alex Hales – Melbourne Stars (GOLD)

M: 356 | R: 10,050 | SR: 147.75 | HS: 116no | 100s: 5 | 50s: 63

Having flushed out the Thunder's retention pick, the Stars might be eyeing another of their regulars to provide support to Aussie superstars Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. Hales is the all-time leading run-scorer for an overseas player in the BBL with 1,857 in his six seasons in the competition and would help strengthen the Stars' at times fragile batting line-up.

13. Tom Curran – Sydney Sixers (GOLD)

M: 164 | W: 185 | ER: 8.90 | BB: 4-22 | R: 1,260 | SR: 136.80 | HS: 62

Another familiar face could be just what Sixers head coach Greg Shipperd is after. Curran's time with the club was cut short last season due to a back stress fracture and he's just returned to the field over the last two months in England's T20 Blast and Hundred competitions. He would provide valuable pace bowling support to the likes of Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Dan Christian and Hayden Kerr, while also providing some more lower-order hitting power.

14. James Neesham – Adelaide Strikers (GOLD)

M: 205 | | R: 2,853 | SR: 142.57 | HS: 75no | W: 174 | ER: 9.06 | BB: 4-24

The Strikers don't have any fast-bowling allrounders besides young prospect Thomas Kelly, and may have been eyeing Tom Curran but will be more than happy with Jimmy Neesham. Neesham has become a mainstay in New Zealand's white-ball sides over the past five years and boasts a wealth of experience on the T20 circuit in the IPL, England and the Caribbean Premier League. After parting ways with Jon Wells in the off-season, Neesham would bolster the Strikers middle-order trouble spot that saw them win 10 Bash Boost points last season but only six matches.

15. Colin Munro – Perth Scorchers (GOLD)

M: 346 | R: 8,705 | SR: 141.01 | HS: 114no | 100s: 5 | 50s: 52

Another Scorchers regular would be high on the agenda for head coach Adam Voges after Munro played a vital role in securing the club their fourth BBL title last season with 390 runs striking at 43.33. The Kiwi left-hander also has good availability for BBL|12 as he is yet to sign with other franchises in rival T20 leagues.

16. Pass – Hobart Hurricanes

Each team must pass once across the four rounds and the Hurricanes have the next pick in the draft, meaning they can get the same player and save themselves $85,000 by taking them as a silver selection instead of a gold. Re-signing David and Meredith at the end of last season wouldn't have come cheap, and with the addition of new head of strategy Ricky Ponting during the winter, the Hurricanes will probably jump at the opportunity to save a few dollars.

17. Imran Tahir – Hobart Hurricanes (SILVER)

M: 362 | W: 453 | ER: 6.95 | BB: 5-23 | 5WI: 3 | 4WI: 10

The Hurricanes have generally looked overseas for a spinner over the last few seasons with Sandeep Lamichhane filling the void in BBL|10 and BBL|11, and we expect they will again be looking to recruit a foreign tweaker to continue the development of young leggie Wil Parker. Despite his age, 43-year-old Tahir is still in high demand from T20 franchises with stints in the Pakistan Super League, England's Hundred and the CPL this year.

18. James Vince – Sydney Sixers (RETENTION PICK – SILVER)

M: 309 | R: 8,326 | SR: 134.33 | HS: 129no | 100s: 4 | 50s: 49

Shipperd loves the two-time championship-winning Sixer and no doubt they would look to retain him if the opportunity arrives. The opener is in fine form at the moment having topped the run chart in the T20 Blast this year with 678 striking at 146.12 with two centuries, and presents great value as a silver pick, even if he is only available until early January when he joins Chris Lynn's Gulf Giants in the UAE league.

19. Tom Banton – Sydney Thunder (SILVER)

M: 96 | R: 2,151 | SR: 143.01 | HS: 107no | 100s: 2 | 50s: 12

Having missed out on retaining Hales, and with their Vince pick thwarted by the Sixers, the Thunder are still in the market for an opener until David Warner becomes available after the New Year's Test. Banton, a powerful right-hander, has enjoyed a solid summer in the T20 Blast and Hundred with 461 runs and has previous Big Bash experience with the Heat in BBL|09.

20. Pass – Perth Scorchers

As AJ Tye said at the draft launch on Monday, sometimes the Scorchers overseas strategy is a bit "rogue", and we expect them to pass at least once in the first three rounds.

21. Dinesh Chandimal – Adelaide Strikers (SILVER)

M: 169 | R: 3,919 | SR: 119.59 | HS: 101no | 100s: 1 | 50s: 26

Strikers' analyst Jarrod Harkness told cricket.com.au last week they would be targeting a middle-order batter in the draft and who better than Australia's second Test nemesis in Dinesh Chandimal. No doubt his Strikers teammates Travis Head and Alex Carey would be familiar with the Sri Lankan right-hander have watched on in Galle as he plundered an epic 206no in July. The 32-year-old should be available for most of the Big Bash season once the Lanka Premier League wraps up just before Christmas.

22. Reece Topley – Brisbane Heat (SILVER)

M: 124 | W: 160 | ER: 8.22 | BB: 4-20 | 4WI: 5

The Heat had the worst Power Surge economy rate last season and took the fewest wickets in the middle overs, meaning they could use a bowler of Topley's ilk. The left-armer had a taste of the Big Bash last summer, playing the first half of the tournament for the Renegades before being called up to England's limited-overs squads. He has since locked down a spot in both their ODI and T20 sides and has the most white-ball wickets for England in 2022 with 22.

23. Joe Clarke – Melbourne Stars (GOLD)

M: 134 | R: 3,324 | SR: 150.06 | HS: 136 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 21 | Ct: 45 | St: 4

Stars head coach David Hussey gave big wraps to Joe Clarke last season and the club is still in need of a 'keeper-bat. Clarke was in the top 10 run-scorers in BBL|11 with 419 striking at 151.26 and is understood to be available for the entire 14-game season as a gold-level pick.

24. Qais Ahmad – Melbourne Renegades (SILVER)

M: 125 | W: 143 | ER: 7.10 | BB: 5-18 | 5WI: 1 | 4WI: 2

The Renegades are still in need of that front-line spinner they were chasing and Qais Ahmad is an experienced Big Bash campaigner with an exceptional wicket celebration. The Afghanistan wrist spinner has 32 scalps and an economy rate of 7.66 during his three seasons in the BBL with the Hurricanes and Stars.

25. Pass – Melbourne Renegades

Under BBL Draft rules, each club is only allowed to select three players and the Renegades have made their three picks, as have the Stars, Heat, Sixers, Strikers and Thunder.

26. Pass – Melbourne Stars

27. Pass – Brisbane Heat

28. Pass – Sydney Sixers

29. Pass – Adelaide Strikers

30. Paul Stirling – Perth Scorchers (BRONZE)

M: 305 | R: 7,628 | SR: 142.81 | HS: 119 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 49

Voges could be in the market for a top-order bat after Kurtis Patterson elected to return home to Sydney to play with the Sixers, and the big-hitting Irishman is in superb touch in 2022. Stirling blasted 74no off 42 balls in his first outing of the Hundred season with the Southern Brave on Monday and also hit a century for Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast competition.

31. Pass – Sydney Thunder

32. Prabath Jayasuriya – Hobart Hurricanes (BRONZE)

M: 57 | W: 73 | ER: 5.87 | BB: 4-8 | 4WI: 4

The Hurricanes are well-stocked in the batting, wicketkeeping and pace bowling departments and could use another spinner for BBL|12. Jayasuriya is one of the hottest talents going around right now after destroying both Australia and Pakistan in his first three Tests following his debut in July. The 30-year-old has accumulated 29 wickets in just six Test innings, which has him as the second-most prolific bowler ever after three Tests, and he also has an exceptional T20 record with 73 wickets and economy rate under a run-a-ball.

Image Id: https://www.cricket.com.au/~/media/News/2022/07/BBL-draft-order?la=en&hash=4AE6FB0B4F134F189B20FE1111E0BA90E8F9850C Image Caption: The order for the BBL|12 Draft has been determined

The BBL|12 Draft will be held on Sunday, August 28 and broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports following the first ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe in Townsville.

Click here for a full list of players to have nominated for the BBL|12 Draft.