BBL15 Draft Preview - Part 2
Today I look at what each of the BBL franchises could do in the BBL15 draft, with the next four teams to pick in the draft.
On June 19th, the overseas draft for BBL15 takes place, as each side looks to shape their squad with some of the world’s best players ahead of this winter’s competition.
Here is my idea of what each team should do in the draft, looking at the profiles they should target and suggestions for players that would complement their existing squad. This is part two, in order of each pick in the draft.
5th Pick - Hobart Hurricanes
Last season’s winners, the Hobart Hurricanes, have a very strong squad on paper and will be aiming to make it two titles in a row in BBL15.
There are a few routes the Hurricanes can take with their side, but I think they’re going to prioritise signing another quick bowler, more specifically, he return of Jofra Archer.
It’s not likely he’ll be available for the whole tournament, but if they can get him towards the end of the competition, and he finds the form he showed in his first stint in Tasmania, where he took 34 wickets at an average of 23.29, he will be unstoppable.
If Archer does return to the ‘Canes, he’ll link up with close friend and England teammate Chris Jordan, their pre-draft signing. They’ll form an unstoppable bowling attack along with skipper Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith.
A shrewd pick-up for the Hurricanes could be Rehan Ahmed. They’re definitely missing a frontline spinner, and he would slot nicely at seven. He offers a fantastic frontline option with his leg-spin, picking up 63 career T20 wickets, as well as lower-order runs with the bat.
Alternatively, retaining Rishad Hossain, one of the most exciting up-and-coming spinners in T20 cricket, would be a strong move. He’s a bolwer full of trricks who I think will soon be a regular in franchise cricket across the world.
Those picks are banking on the fact that Tim David remains on the ‘Cane Train. He is available to move away, but if reports are to be believed, he will stay, slotting into the lower middle order as you’d expect.
6th Pick - Sydney Sixers
One side you simply cannot count out of the BBL is the Sydney Sixers. They finished second in the league stage last season, with 14 points to their name, and look as strong as ever.
Their major incoming has already happened with their pre-draft pick. Pakistan international Babar Azam joined as a direct replacement for James Vince, who seemingly will not be returning to play another season in Magenta.
With Babar surely set to open the batting alongside Josh Phillipe, they need someone to slot in at number three, and have plenty of options. Dawid Malan is available for the full competition and would bring experience, and I also think Sam Hain is a good option.
However, you could make a case that they need someone who will score quicker. Scotland international Brandon McMullen would be a fine pick, but he is another right-handed batter, so I’d love for them to go for Saim Ayub.
Babar’s international teammate, Saim, boasts a 141.89 strike rate in T20 cricket, and whilst he is an opener by trade, he should be able to adapt to the number three role, and could even cash in on the Power Surge which can be taken from over 10 onwards.
A fast bowler could be a strong move for the Sixers, too, as I think they lack genuine depth for frontline quicks. Richard Gleeson could be a smart pick-up. He suits playing in Australia well, being a bowler who hits the pitch hard, and is available throughout the tournament.
Alternatively, they could sign a spinner, and if the Hurricanes decide to pass up on the chance to retain Bangladesh star Hossain, he might also be a shrewd addition.
7th Pick - Melbourne Stars
It was an incredible turnaround for the Melbourne Stars last year, who lost their first five games then won their next five to finish in the top four.
They’ll be hoping for a faster start in 2025/26 and need to strengthen their batting. Campbell Kellaway needs to be given a new deal and should open the innings as he does in state cricket, something he hasn’t yet been given the chance to do for the Stars.
McMullen would be a great option for the Stars, too. His T20 strike rate is 141.85, and he could help the team make a quicker start in that top three.
Bringing Tawanda Muyeye over to the MCG after his stint for the Melbourne Renegades last season would also be a route they could take. He’s been superb for Kent in the Blast in 2025, with 229 runs and a 137.95 strike rate.
Moving away from batting options, the Stars could target an all-rounder. Signing New Zealander Jimmy Neesham would provide lower-order hitting alongside Tom Curran, their pre-draft signing, and some fantastic death bowling.
There is a case to be made that the Stars need another spinner to go along with Mitchell Swepson, who has joined from the Brisbane Heat. The jury is still out on Hamish McKenzie, but he has shown promise, and Kellaway offers a spin option if he rejoins and plays.
With that being said, Tom Hartley might be a strong alternative to Neesham if they are looking for a lower-order batter and another spinner. The England international bowls left-arm off-spin and is strong in the powerplay, making him another good option to bowl in the Surge, too.
8th Pick - Sydney Thunder
Rounding out the first round of the draft will be the Sydney Thunder. They ended third in the group last season, and, of course, fell short in the final against the Hurricanes.
Trent Copeland was full of praise for Lockie Ferguson in a recent interview, hinting at a possible return. They have the chance to retain him after his successful stint in BBL14, but he won’t be available for the whole tournament.
Aside from Ferguson, I think an all-rounder could be a good option for the Thunder. They’re a team that tends to pack their side with jack-of-all-trades cricketers; another lower-order hitter might be the route they go down.
If so, I suggest Lewis Gregory. Not only is he a fantastic leader and someone else for David Warner to turn to if needed, but he packs a punch down the order. In the Blast for Somerset this season, his strike rate is 195.91. Of course, he is also a superb bowler, who, for me, can be considered a death specialist despite his new ball skills.
The other type of player the Thunder could turn to in the draft is a top-order batter. Sam Konstas’ availability is unclear due to Ashes involvement, so signing another opener might be a smart piece of business.
They’ll want a player who can start an innings quickly with Warner, so I’d be interested to see if they go for Evin Lewis. The West Indies star is a destructive white-ball opener, striking at 144.57 in his T20 career. He could be the perfect person to match the skipper’s tempo up the order.