SUNDAY night saw the second annual Big Bash League (BBL) Overseas Player Draft ahead of the BBL|13 season, which commences later this year.

In a surprise to absolutely no one, Rashid Khan was retained by the Adelaide Strikers for the second year in a row. There was no doubt that Adelaide would be holding onto one of the best T20 players in the world coming into the draft, and the Strikers acted swiftly.

The Melbourne Stars bid on the Afghanistan star with the first selection of the night, before the South Australian team used their retention pick.

Instead, the Stars selected English batsman Harry Brook with the second pick of the night. Australia’s Ashes opponent will be donning the Melbourne kit this season having previously played for the Hobart Hurricanes, and should be a strong performer at the crease.

The Hurricanes tried to snag Tom Curran, but the Sydney Sixers used their retention pick to keep the England All-Rounder in pink this year.

Instead, the Tasmanian team brought bowler Chris Jordan down to the Apple Isle, hoping the 34-year-old fast bowler will still have plenty left in the tank. Jordan seems likely to bring a bit of X-Factor to Hobart’s bowling attack, and could be a smart pickup.

Rounding out the top five was the Melbourne Renegades’ selection of Quentin De Kock, with the South African keeper-batsman set to play a key role in red this year. His glove work and power hitting at the crease make him an enticing selection.

The Big Bash Men’s season kicks off on December 7th with a clash between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Stars.

Round One

1. Adelaide Strikers: Rashid Khan (Retention)
2. Melbourne Stars: Harry Brook
3. Sydney Sixers: Tom Curran (Retention)
4. Hobart Hurricanes: Chris Jordan
5. Melbourne Renegades: Quinton De Kock
6. Sydney Thunder: Alex Hales
7. Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro
8. Perth Scorchers: pass

Round Two

9. Melbourne Stars: Haris Rauf
10. Adelaide Strikers: Jamie Overton
11. Hobart Hurricanes: Sam Hain
12. Melbourne Renegades: Mujeeb Ur Rahman
13. Sydney Thunder: Zaman Khan
14. Sydney Sixers: James Vince
15. Brisbane Heat: Sam Billings
16. Perth Scorchers: Zac Crawley

Round Three

17. Perth Scorchers: Laurie Evans
18. Brisbane Heat: Paul Walter
19. Sydney Sixers: pass
20. Sydney Thunder: pass
21. Melbourne Renegades: pass
22. Hobart Hurricanes: Corey Anderson
23. Adelaide Strikers: pass
24. Melbourne Stars: pass

Round Four

25. Melbourne Stars: Usama Mir
26. Adelaide Strikers: Adam Hose
27. Hobart Hurricanes: pass
28. Melbourne Renegades: pass
29. Sydney Thunder: pass
30. Sydney Sixers: Rehan Ahmed
31. Brisbane Heat: pass
32. Perth Scorchers: pass