Dane van Niekerk Withdraws from WBBL 2023 Overseas Draft

South African women’s cricketer Dane van Niekerk withdraws from the WBBL 2023 overseas draft as she continues to recover from her thumb injury.

Dane van Niekerk Withdraws from WBBL 2023 Overseas Draft

Dane van Niekerk sustained the injury during the Hundred 2023 while playing for Oval Invincibles. Dane van Niekerk has been ruled out of the Hundred midway after suffering an injury to her right thumb.

The former South Africa skipper, who has had no luck with injuries in recent times, sustained the blow while fielding during her team’s victory over Manchester Originals on August 9.

A scan on her thumb has revealed an intra-articular fracture and Invincibles have confirmed that she will require surgery. While expecting to return for the WBBL this season, Dane van Niekerk decided to withdraw from the WBBL 2023 draft.

“Unfortunately decided to withdraw from the WBBL Draft as I concentrate on recovering fully from my thumb injury. Cannot wait to watch and support what I know, will once again be a very successful tournament”.

As per WBBL 2023 schedule, the first match of the tournament will be played between Sydney Sixers Women and Melbourne Stars Women on October 19.

CHECK: Dane van Niekerk Retirement: SA Allrounder Confirms International Retirement

WBBL 2023 Draft Players’ Salary Band

In the WBBL, Platinum players will earn AUD$110,000 to be paid by the clubs from the AUD$732,000 salary cap.

• Platinum – AUD 110,000
• Gold – AUD 90,000
• Silver – AUD 65,000
• Bronze – AUD 40,000

WBBL 2023 Draft Process

WBBL 2023 Draft: WBBL teams no longer recruit their three overseas players privately. The BBL held an overseas draft for the first time last year and the WBBL will hold a draft for the first time this year.

• They will select a minimum of two or a maximum of three overseas players from the drafts that will be held back-to-back in Melbourne on September 3.
• The draft will only be for overseas players.
• Domestic players will be contracted in the same way they always are although there has been a new marquee rule in the BBL introduced for CA-contracted players.

WBBL 2023 Draft Selection Order

WBBL 2023 Draft: On July 14, weighted lotteries were undertaken to determine the order of selections for the WBBL overseas draft. The selection order for the inaugural Weber WBBL Overseas Player Draft has been revealed with the Sydney Thunder receiving the first-ever pick.

After failing to qualify for the Weber WBBL|08 Finals, four teams were entered into the first draw: Perth Scorchers (one entry), Melbourne Stars (two entries), Melbourne Renegades (three entries) and Sydney Thunder (four entries). The Clubs who played in the Finals last year, including reigning champions Adelaide Strikers, were placed in the second draw.

In WBBL drafts, the first two rounds of the draft will run in order from one to eight. Round three will run in reverse order, so team eight will get two selections in a row (pick 16 and 17). Round four will run in normal order again. So team one will get two selections in a row (picks 24 and 25). Following the Lottery, the order of selections for the Weber WBBL|09 Overseas Player Draft is confirmed as follows:

CHECK: WBBL 2023 Overseas Players Draft Nominees List – UPDATED

• Pick 1: Sydney Thunder
• Pick 2: Melbourne Renegades
• Pick 3: Perth Scorchers
• Pick 4: Melbourne Stars
• Pick 5: Hobart Hurricanes
• Pick 6: Brisbane Heat
• Pick 7: Sydney Sixers
• Pick 8: Adelaide Strikers