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Sydney: A major change has been made regarding the contracts of players in the Big Bash League (BBL). Cricket Australia (CA) has decided to end the draft system applicable to foreign players under the new rules. The new system could pave the way for better payments for Australian and overseas players.

Cricket Australia has announced new contract rules following several months of negotiations with the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) and feedback from BBL clubs. These changes will also be applicable in WBBL.

The ban on contracts will be lifted from Thursday

The BBL contract freeze will be lifted at 9am (AEST) on Thursday. After this, clubs will be able to enter into direct record contracts with foreign players. This will open the way for players like Ben Stokes and Finn Allen to get direct contracts with BBL teams.

After parting ways with Melbourne Renegades, Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa may also get a chance to join the new club.

Draft system for foreign players ended

Under the new rules, the draft system previously applicable for foreign players has been abolished. Apart from this, the number of required big domestic players has also been reduced with the aim of paying more to the big domestic players.

Clubs will now have the freedom to decide whether they want to sign a foreign player or not. That means it will not be mandatory for any team to have foreign players.

Three marquee players in the 15-member team

Under the new rules, there will be three 'marquee' players in a team of 15 players, who will be paid more. The minimum number in the team has also not been set for foreign players.

This system will be applicable in BBL as well as WBBL.

Why were players and clubs worried about the draft?

Many of Australia's leading BBL players and clubs have long expressed dissatisfaction with the draft system for overseas players. He believed that because of the draft, lesser-known foreign players sometimes got more money than the best domestic players.

In the new system, clubs will have the freedom to decide for themselves based on the players' ability, market value and whether they are domestic or foreign.

'It is important for clubs to have the freedom to form teams'

BBL chief Alastair Dobson said the player market is constantly changing and the BBL and WBBL must be prepared to change as per the need.

He said that clubs should have the freedom to assess the value of individual players. According to him, foreign players will still be important to the league and it is expected that a large number of top foreign players will join the competition despite the new system.

Dobson also acknowledged that the draft was a great event for the BBL and once played an important role in the league and the clubs' team building strategies.