Australian Stars Set to Shine in Big Bash League After Ashes Triumph
Ashes Champions Join Big Bash League
Following their impressive 4-1 victory in the Ashes series, Australian cricket stars Steve Smith from Sydney Sixers and Usman Khawaja along with Marnus Labuschagne from Brisbane Heat are expected to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL) just two days after the Sydney Test, according to reports.
Several players from the Ashes squad will transition to their respective BBL teams, with Mitchell Starc making his return to the league after an 11-year hiatus, also joining the Sydney Sixers. However, Travis Head, who was the leading run-scorer in the Ashes with 629 runs, including three centuries, has decided to take a break ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled to start on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, Scott Boland, who took 20 wickets in the Ashes, will not be available for the Melbourne Stars, and Cameron Green will also take some time off.
Focus on Sydney Sixers
Steve Smith, who scored an impressive 121* against the Perth Scorchers last season, will be available for the last three regular-season matches of the Sixers, starting with a game against the Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday. Currently, the Sixers are in fourth place with four wins and three losses, just three points behind the Hurricanes.
Mitchell Starc is anticipated to play against the Sydney Thunder and later against the Brisbane Heat on January 16 and 18. Starc had announced his retirement from T20I cricket last year. The Sixers have also added Josh Hazlewood as a supplementary player, although he may choose to rest before the T20 World Cup.
Notable Player Returns
Players such as Khawaja, Labuschagne, Alex Carey from the Strikers, and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis from the Scorchers are set to return to action starting January 10. Michael Neser, who took 15 wickets in three Ashes Tests, will be available for the Heat from January 14.
BBL Standings and Upcoming International Matches
In the current BBL standings, the Sydney Thunder is at the bottom with only one win and six losses. The Melbourne Renegades are seventh with six points, just four points behind the table leaders, the Hurricanes.
Australia is scheduled to play three T20 internationals in Pakistan before the T20 World Cup, with players departing for Pakistan based on their BBL teams' progress in the tournament. The squad for the T20Is is yet to be announced but is expected to include additional players beyond the 15-man T20 World Cup squad led by Mitchell Marsh.
BBL Player Availability
- From January 10: Alex Carey (Strikers), Brendan Doggett (Renegades), Josh Inglis (Scorchers), Usman Khawaja (Heat), Marnus Labuschagne (Heat), Todd Murphy (Sixers), Steven Smith (Sixers), Jake Weatherald (Hurricanes), Beau Webster (Hurricanes).
- From January 14: Michael Neser (Heat).
- From January 16: Mitchell Starc (Sixers).