Ben Stokes during his IPL days (L) & Mitchell Marsh (Source: AFP Photos)Cricket Australia (CA) made quite a few significant changes to the Big Bash League (BBL) for men and women for the next season. The new development occurred after CA held several discussions with the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) and received much feedback from BBL and WBBL clubs.CA has had a contracting embargo period for BBL and WBBL since the last edition’s finals. During this time, no clubs were allowed to sign or extend any contracts. However, it will no longer be an issue from Thursday, August 27 9 AM AEST onwards, which is typically 4:30 AM in IST.With WBBL 2026 just six weeks away and BBL 2026/27 not far away either, there could be wholesale signings in the next few days, as Cricket Australia is all set to return to its open-market system through direct signings, which was in place until 2022.Overseas Player Draft Axed In Major BBL RevampWith the likes of Ben Stokes confirmed to make his comeback to the Big Bash League this summer, it would be a massive moment for him to sign a contract with the competition’s biggest ever paycheck. There will be direct contracts between Stokes and other BBL teams, and whoever gives him a better deal should get him for the upcoming season.Apart from Stokes, other big names such as Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa and Finn Allen, who have no contracts signed as of now, could benefit greatly from CA’s latest moves regarding the BBL and WBBL.For WBBL, the biggest names expected to be in the headlines in the coming days are Tayla Vlaeminck, Sophie Devine, Hayley Matthews and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.Also Read: BBL 2026-27 Schedule Announced; Chennai To Host Renegades Vs Scorchers OpenerSimultaneously, there will no longer be an Overseas player draft, a process that Big Bash League clubs had been frustrated with for a while.Earlier, during Overseas player drafts, each club was required to sign at least two overseas players, with a minimum contract worth AU$300,000 (approx. 2.05 Crore INR) and one had to be in the Platinum level, worth AU$420,000 (approx. 2.87 Crore INR).Now, CA told all the club owners that they could sign a total of three marquee players, with AU$212,242 (approx. 1.45 Crore INR) being the minimum value relative to the total squad value, which had an AU$3.18 million (₹21.78 crore INR) salary cap. They were told to sign at least six players before the rule was implemented.BBL, WBBL Squad Sizes To Remain UnchangedHowever, just like previous editions, the squad strength for all BBL and WBBL teams remains the same.It was an 18-man pool for BBL and a 15-woman pool for WBBL, and CA confirmed that there is no change in that. Therefore, it gives more chances to Australian youngsters, as teams may go heavy on superstar players and might need to sign emerging players to complete the pool.Nevertheless, out of 18, the top six earners in each BBL must collectively have a contract worth AU$1.7 million (approx. 11.64 crore INR), as instructed by CA.Also Read: How Did Indian Team Players Perform In Duleep Trophy 2026 Quarterfinals?
