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The imports that could boost your BBL Club

A few international spots are open in the BBL here's an in depth look at who could possibly fill them

The next men's Big Bash season is nearly upon us and clubs have already locked in an all-star cast of international talent.

Featuring players from Afghanistan to the West Indies, with a heavy England presence, there are only a couple of spots available.

The Sydney Thunder have yet to announce a replacement for the banned Andre Russell, while the Hobart Hurricanes careful planning was thrown out the window when Tom Curran was a late call-up to England's Magellan Ashes squad.

There's also the January international window to consider, with several of the signed foreign stars – such as Sydney Sixers duo Sam Billings and Jason Roy – likely to be called away by national duty.

So with that in mind, here's a look at some of the top unsigned T20 talent on the table and available for Big Bash clubs to pick from.


Evin Lewis 
Age: 
25 Country: West Indies
Matches: 74 | Runs: 2353 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 17 | Ave: 34.10 | HS: 125*

King Lewis smashes records with epic ton

Babar Azam
Age: 23 Country: Pakistan
Matches: 61 | Runs: 1638 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 10 | Ave: 37.40 | HS: 86

Brilliant Babar scores fourth ODI ton

Babar Azam is only 23 but has proved himself to be one of the most damaging batsmen in the world. He boasts the title of the vice-captain of the Pakistani ODI team and the most runs (432) in his first 11 T20I innings by any batsman in the world.

Azam is also the reigning Pakistan Cricket Board’s player of the year after his incredible run of form in 2016-17 which included three consecutive ODI centuries against the West Indies. He is yet to score a T20 international century but his level-headed approach to batting would help batting to the death in the BBL. Pakistan's limited overs squad will be in action in New Zealand at the business end of the Big Bash.


Alex Hales
Age: 28 Country: England
Matches: 166 | Runs: 4544 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 30 | Ave: 29.31 | HS: 116*

England Hales their new king

Alex Hales is considered a short-form specialist for his native England having played some destructive knocks for his country. Most recently he hit the highest ever individual one-day score in a county game at Lord’s, his 187 off 167 balls helped Nottinghamshire to the championship.

His solo T20 International century came in 2014 when he scored 116 not out in Sri Lanka. He’s previously played BBL for the Hobart Hurricanes and recall to the competition would not doubt feature some big boundaries from the batsman.

A black mark is hanging over his name though, and is currently indefinitely suspended from national duty by England following his alleged role in the street brawl also involving Ben Stokes. He's not under police investigation like Stokes, but is still waiting to learn his punishment from England's internal disciplinary process.


Shakib al Hasan
Age: 
30 Country: Bangladesh
Matches: 241 | Runs: 3779 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 14 | Ave: 20.53 | HS: 86*
Wickets: 272 | 5WI: 2 | Ave: 21.04 | BB: 6-6

Shakib joins legends, rolls Aussies

It’s hard to believe that the ICC’s top-ranked allrounder in all formats of the game is yet to be snapped up by a BBL club. Aussie cricket fans will know Shakib from his previous stints in the Big Bash as well as the man who helped Bangladesh to their maiden Test victory against Australia with a 10-wicket haul in August.

Shakib is also only one of five to have 5000 runs and 250 wickets in ODIs and was the fastest player to reach that milestone. It’s been two years since Shakib last featured in the BBL and with the way he has been racking up runs and taking wickets a return for BBL|07 could lead to some exciting cricket. 


Jos Buttler
Age: 27 Country: England
Matches: 191 | Runs: 3925 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 23 | Ave: 29.29 | HS: 80*

Root, Buttler take England to 310

The first-choice wicketkeeper for England in ODIs and T20s and part of the ICC's World One-Day XI team, Buttler is another yet to be snapped up for BBL|07. He recently posted a career best 80 not out in Lancashire’s loss to Birmingham in England's domestic T20 competition.

Up until early 2016 he had England’s three fastest one-day hundreds to his name and still to this day no other England batter ranks in the top 40 for the fastest one day century. Buttler also has Big Bash experience, having played with the Renegades during the BBL|03 season in 2013-14. 


Mustafizur Rahman
Age: 
22 Country: Bangladesh
Matches: 46 | Wickets: 62 | 5WI: 1 | Ave: 18.16 | BB: 5-22

Mustafizur cuts through Black Caps for five-wicket haul

Shakib's Bangladeshi teammate is quickly becoming one of the most feared fast bowlers in short-form cricket. In both his ODI and Test debuts Rahman was named player of the match, the first person to achieve that feat.

Nicknamed "the Fizz", his dominance with the ball in limited overs cricket also lead to him become the first Bangladeshi player to be named in the ICC ODI team of the year, and has won rave reviews from Australia's David Warner from their time together in the IPL at Sunrisers Hyderabad. 


Imad Wasim
Age: 
28 Country: Pakistan
Matches: 102 | Runs: 866 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 1 | Ave: 18.04 | HS: 54
Wickets: 92 | 5WI: 1 | Ave: 23.14 | BB: 5-14

Imad's five and Gul return has Pakistan flying high

Wasim has just been appointed captain of PSL side the Karachi Kings and a stint in the BBL could be the perfect preparation for next year's New Zealand tour for the Pakistan allrounder. He’s only played 19 T20 internationals but Wasim has already taken out two player of the series accolades.

His left arm orthodox style boasts best figures of 5-14 in T20s and his recent performances earnt him the Pakistani Cricket Board’s T20 international player of the year. Wasim has said that he aims to “play with aggression”. Like Babar, he may be restricted in his availability due to Pakistan's international commitments.


Eoin Morgan
Age: 
31 Country: England
Matches: 239 | Runs: 5073 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 25 | Ave: 26.10 | HS: 85*

Marvellous Morgan's Big Bash miracle

He’s the current captain of England’s limited-overs squads and played a starring role in the Sydney Thunder squad in BBL|03 and BBL|06. Morgan has wealth of T20 experience having played for various sides in the IPL, PSL and CPL over the years.

As captain of England he has enforced a "no fear" policy on his team, encouraging his teammates to play tough and exciting cricket. His skills, experience and attitude would make him a valuable addition for any BBL side, although any potential suitors would have to be wary that he would be exiting the Big Bash for international duties.


Chris Jordan
Age: 
29 Country: England
Matches: 97 | Runs: 644 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 0 | Ave: 16.94 | HS: 45*
Wickets: 105 | 5WI: 0 | Ave: 25.06 | BB: 4-11

Jordan pulls off another screamer

Chris Jordan is another Englishman that has featured in the most recent edition of the BBL and his recent run of good form could see him high on the shopping list, particularly in Hobart which is looking for a replacement speedster. On England’s tour of India last January he was the leading wicket-taker with an impressive economy rate.

His form in India came after an inspired run at the World T20 where he impressed with his ability to bowl at the death. He's also a gun fielder and has an excellent pair of hands for slips catching.


Samuel Badree
Age: 
36 Country: West Indies
Matches: 180 | Wickets: 178 | 5WI: 1 | Ave: 20.93 | BB: 5-22

Watch all of Samuel Badree's five wickets

As recently as 2014 Samuel Badree was the ICC’s No.1 T20 international bowler and was also named the "best opening bowler in town" by the late, great Martin Crowe on commentary. At 36, Badree could be considered a veteran of the game but his years playing in the IPL, PSL, CPL and at an international level see him bring a wealth of experience.

Badree has plenty of Big Bash experience, and took nine wickets in eight matches with the Brisbane Heat. His starring role for the Heat in the BBL|05 2015-16 season included a five-wicket haul against the Melbourne Stars in the final game of the season. Badree would also be looking towards the West Indies tour of New Zealand this summer, which may impact his BBL availability.