CA boss Sutherland says big-name stars will front new-look Big Bash

MELBOURNE - Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland has said the country’s biggest names may not be free to play in the format’s first season, but are expected to join the revolution beyond its 2011-12 debut.

Sutherland also declared big-name signings from around the globe a priority.

“Australian players probably won’t be available in the first stage but I think there are opportunities for that to change as this competition develops and almost create demand in itself for our international players to play,” Sutherland told Fox Sports.

He added: “We’ll be seeking international players to come over and play in the Big Bash League should they be available.”

The process of building the playing lists for each of the teams has not yet been established, he said.

He added that auction systems, similar to that of the lucrative Indian Premier League, or an AFL-style draft, are two options under consideration.

“There’re quite a few permutations as to how that might be resolved,” Sutherland said. (ANI)