Rashid, Boult and Shadab among 24 overseas picks in inaugural BBL draft

Rashid Khan, Liam Livingstone, Trent Boult and Shadab Khan were among the 24 overseas players picked in the Big Bash League 2022-23 first draft on Sunday. England's big hitter Livingstone became the first overseas pick as Melbourne Renegades signed him for the 12th edition of the tournament.

Melbourne Stars were looking to secure the services of Rashid but Adelaide Strikers managed to retain the leg-spinner for the sixth season in a row. However, Stars were able to get Boult as their first pick while Hobart Hurricanes got Pakistan allrounder Shadab Khan as their first pick.

England's Sam Billings (Brisbane Heat), Chris Jordan (Sydney Sixers) and David Willey (Sydney Thunder) were the other top picks. Joe Clarke (Melbourne Stars), Alex Hales (Sydney Thunder), James Vince (Sydney Sixers) alongside Kiwi allrounder Colin de Grandhomme (Adelaide Strikers) and Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Melbourne Renegades) were picked in the second round.

However, West Indies allrounder Andre Russell was not picked in the inaugural draft.

"The inaugural BBL Draft was a resounding success and the perfect way to begin the countdown to the summer of Big Bash. The League is delighted to welcome a host of the world's biggest names to the competition, complemented by the next group up and comers," Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said.

Teams can sign a maximum of seven overseas players with combinations of three primary and four replacements or two primary and five replacements.

The Big Bash League is set to played from December 13, 2022 to February 4, 2023. Sydney Thunder play the opening clash against Melbourne Stars at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.