As the BBL draft looms a bit over three weeks away, six of the world T20's most explosive hitters have put their hands up to be a part of BBL|13. All six have experience in the Big Bash and are world-renowned for their aggressive play.
While just a taste of the talent that will likely be on offer come September 3, three of the six nominees are ranked in the current top 15 of the ICC T20 batters list, something that bodes well for a league that has seen waning interest in recent seasons.
While the availability of the players is yet to be established, it's unlikely they will take part in the full season, given the calibre of player and the packed schedule of international cricket and rival leagues taking place at the same time.
Still, any chance to see Faf Du Plessis, Alex Hales, Laurie Evans, Colin Munro, Nicholas Pooran and Rilee Rossouw will be gladly accepted by Australian T20 lovers who will be keen for the revamped league to be a bit hit.
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Following a two-season absence, perhaps the most exciting nominee of the bunch is Pooran, who featured in BBL|10 for the Melbourne Stars and this week became the West Indies' all-time top T20 run scorer.
Pooran's stock could not be higher, following a destructive, match-winning 137 off 55 balls in the inaugural Major League Cricket season in the US, the 27-year-old has continued his good form against India in the Caribbean and is a genuine contender to be taken at pick one.
Perhaps the most intriguing prospect will be Faf Du Plessis, who was a shock snub at last year's draft as teams opted for player availability over reputation and ability. While Du Plessis did eventually play with the Scorchers for a few games, his will be an interesting situation to watch unfold come draft night.
Hales returns a BBL veteran, with a proven ability to go big at the top of the order, however may not be picked up in the first round given he was a second-round selection for BBL|12. The upside to Hales is that he has announced his retirement from international cricket and would therefore be likely available for a large chunk, if not all, of the season.
Perhaps the pick of the bunch based on his BBL|12 season is Kiwi Colin Munro, who helped lead the Heat's charge towards the Grand Final, scoring 278 runs at 34.75 with a strike rate of 150.27, before moving on prior to the final.
Ranked fifth on the ICC rankings, Rossouw comes with a big reputation despite struggling in his BBL start, and will look to recapture the type of form he played himself into following BBL|10 which saw him earn his place back in the South African team and climb the rankings.
The biggest question mark hangs over Evans, who had his contract with the Scorchers last season cancelled following a positive anti-doping test shortly before BBL|12 began. Evans has denied any wrongdoing and while his ban has been temporarily lifted, still faces uncertainty due to a hearing on the matter later this year.
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With expanded salary bands ahead of this season's BBL, there's every chance that the talent pool available will continue to expand and may yet still attract more prominent names for a league in need of a shot in the arm.
The BBL|13 draft takes place September 3 with the season proper to begin December 7 when the Brisbane Heat take on the Melbourne Stars.
