Faf Du Plessis becomes the first player to join the BBL 12 draft

The Big Bash League's new international player draft has secured its first marquee name with former South African captain Faf du Plessis nominated for a return to the KFC BBL this summer.

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Faf Du Plessis has become one of the world's most sought-after T20 free agents. Faf retired from Test cricket in February 2021 and recently led the Royal Challengers Bangalore to third in IPL 2022. The former No.3 ranked T20I batter played a sole Big Bash match for Melbourne Renegades in BBL-02.

The 37-year-old has accumulated 7608 runs at 31.18 across his 293-game T20 career. Meanwhile, he aggregated 468 runs opening the batting during IPL 2022. As we know, he remains one of the world's most athletic fielders and revered on-field leaders.

His nomination has been confirmed alongside countryman Rilee Rossouw, who is currently the third leading run-scorer in England's T20 Blast with 498 at a strike rate of 191.53 from 12 matches with Somerset.

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Rossouw was last night named in South Africa's T20 squad to face England this northern summer. He is in the line for an international return after six years in the wilderness.

David Wiese and Marchant de Lange have also been nominated for the draft

Namibian T20 World Cup hero David Wiese has also been nominated for the draft. Recently, he has had an impressive Pakistan Super League campaign with champions Lahore Qalandars. He picked nine wickets and 168 runs at a strike rate of 184.61.

Marchant de Lange, the fourth South African-born player confirmed as nominated for the draft. He is also hoping to make his Big Bash debut later this year.

The 31-year-old fast bowler has played for South Africa in all three formats. He is fresh off a devastating 4-9 from three overs for Somerset in this year's T20 Blast.

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The BBL confirmed the inaugural draft last week in an effort to get the world's best T20 talent into the competition. Each club will be able to select up to three foreign players across four rounds. Moreover, the four salary bands ranging from $340,000 (platinum), $260,000 (gold), $175,000 (silver), and $100,000 for bronze.

Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said a nomination of Du Plessis' caliber was an endorsement of the BBL draft and the league's "unique offering as a great experience for players and their families".

"We thank these players for making themselves available for the KFC BBL and look forward to announcing further nominations soon," he added.