The international player draft has been a new addition to the Big Bash League this season as a means of getting a hold of the best talent the cricketing world has to offer.
As a result, a host of stars have been nominated to play in the 2022-23 BBL season according to cricket.com.au.
Most notable of all is former South African captain and 37-year-old Faf Du Plessis.
Since retiring from test cricket in February 2021, many teams have been trying to secure his signature.
Interestingly, this is not the superstar's first time in the BBL having played for the Renegades once in BBL|02.
The former No. 3 ranked T20 batsman is most notoriously known in Australia for withstanding 376 balls on the way to a game-winning ton for South Africa in Adelaide.
This match would end up kickstarting a mature-aged Du Plessis' career.
The South African has scored 7608 T20 runs across his 293-game career, averaging 31.18 along the way.
Such a record should directly translate to the BBL where there is currently a lack of top-order firepower.
On top of this, the explosive nature of the Big Bash should see Du Plessis impress in the field with his terrific athleticism.
Cricket Australia's General Manager Alistair Dobson said that the addition of players of Du Plessis' calibre is a "unique offering as a great experience for players and their families".
Also nominated for the draft is fellow countryman Rilee Rossouw.
The 32-year-old has scored 6307 runs in his career at an average of 31.22 whilst striking at 141.57 along the way.
Roussouw is currently the third leading run-scorer for T20 Blast side Somerset where he has scored 498 runs across 12 games at a strike rate of 191.53.
Such form has seen Roussouw called up for the Proteas after spending six years out of the team.
Both Du Plessis and Roussouw will only be able to play a fraction of BBL|12, however, due to them departing for the inaugural South African T20 franchise league.
Namibian T20 World Cup star David Wiese and South African Marchant de Lange are amongst the others who have been nominated for the draft.
Elsewhere, Afghani legend Rashid Khan, English fast-bowler Jofra Archer, West-Indian showman Andre Russell and Pakistani superstar Babar Azam are all in contention for being nomination.
Each of the ten BBL sides will be able to select up to three foreign players across four rounds and four salary bands ranging from $340,000 (platinum), $260,000 (gold), $175,000 (silver) and $100,000 for bronze.
Speaking on the topic of the international draft, Dobson said "We thank these players for making themselves available for the KFC BBL and look forward to announcing further nominations soon."
BBL|12 is set to start on December 5 with a clash between the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars.
