\n<\/p>\n
Although most teams prioritised English talent, there are plenty more overseas players to look out for.<\/p>\n
After making a lasting impression for Heat last year at the top of the order, New Zealand batter Colin Munro<\/b> has returned, while Scorchers signed his fellow Kiwi Finn Allen<\/b>. <\/p>\n
Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson<\/b> was picked up by Thunder, while wicketkeeper Tim Seifert<\/b> bagged a two-year deal with Renegades as they look to improve on finishing seventh last season. <\/p>\n
Paine recruited West Indies spinner Fabian Allen<\/b> for Strikers, as they look to go one step further this year, after a defeat in the Challenger in 2023-24. Shai Hope<\/b>, Akeal Hosein<\/b> and Sherfane Rutherford<\/b> were signed by Hurricanes, Sixers & Thunder respectively. <\/p>\n
Many Pakistan players put themselves forward for the draft, but leg-spinner Usama Mir <\/b>was the only one to be picked, as he returns to Stars after picking up five wickets in five games last season. Hassan Khan <\/b>has signed as a replacement, but Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman are among those to miss out.<\/p>\n
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain <\/b>was set to become the second Bangladesh player to feature in the BBL but he has opted to play in the Bangladesh Premier League instead. <\/p>\n
Australia’s Test players will only be able to feature in the latter stages of the regular season because of their five-Test series against India, which is set to finish on 7 January. That means there will be a 10-day window to play in the group stage. <\/p>\n
Australia begin a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka from 29 January so players are unlikely to be available for the knockouts. <\/p>\n
Khawaja<\/b> is listed as Heat’s captain, while Nathan Lyon<\/b> is contracted to Renegades, Travis Head<\/b> to Strikers and Mitchell Marsh<\/b> to Scorchers. Nathan McSweeney’s<\/b> promotion to the Test side also leaves Heat without one of their top batters.<\/p>\n
It is unlikely any of Australia’s fast bowlers will feature, with Mitchell Starc<\/b> last playing in the tournament in 2014 and Pat Cummins<\/b> in 2019.<\/p>\n
White-ball regulars Glenn Maxwell<\/b>, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott<\/b> and Adam Zampa<\/b> should be available throughout. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n