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Josh Hazlewood Returns to BBL with Sydney Sixers Ahead of T20 World Cup

Australian pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood has regained full fitness and will return to competitive cricket by joining the Sydney Sixers for the remainder of the BBL season. He has been signed under a supplementary contract, a mechanism designed for nationally contracted players with limited availability. His comeback is a significant boost for both the Sixers and the Australian national team as they build towards the T20 World Cup in 2026. Hazlewood's return is further bolstered by the expected arrivals of teammates Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith after the Sydney Test.

Key Points: Josh Hazlewood BBL Return for Sydney Sixers Before T20 WC

  • Returns to BBL after injury recovery
  • Signed as supplementary player for Sydney Sixers
  • Key for Australia's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign
  • Strengthens Sixers alongside Starc and Smith
2 min read

Josh Hazlewood set for BBL return ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is back with the Sydney Sixers in the BBL after recovering from injury, boosting his T20 World Cup 2026 prep.

"We're excited to welcome back Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood - Sydney Sixers"

Sydney, Jan 6

Australia's top fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has regained full fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 and is set to return to competitive action after joining the Sydney Sixers for the remainder of the Big Bash League 2025-26 season. The right-handed pacer has been added as a supplementary contracted player and will feature for the Sixers for the rest of the tournament.

"We're excited to welcome back Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood as a supplementary contracted player for KFC BBL 15," the Sydney Sixers wrote on their social media platform.

In the Big Bash League, a supplementary contract allows clubs to sign Cricket Australia-contracted players who are expected to have limited availability due to national team commitments.

This mechanism was introduced to help BBL clubs secure top Australian talent without forcing them to sacrifice a valuable spot on their primary 18-man bench or commit to a significant salary-cap hit for a player who may not play many matches.

Josh Hazlewood has been one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket, excelling across all three formats with his accuracy, bounce, and consistency. Every team he represents values his presence and impact. However, the Australian pacer has a long history of injuries. During the recent Ashes Test series, Hazlewood was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

While recovering from that setback, he suffered another blow with an Achilles issue, further delaying his return. His comeback in the BBL has brought relief to his fans as well as the Australian cricket team, who are targeting a second title at the upcoming T20 World Cup, set to be played in the subcontinent.

Hazlewood's inclusion will further strengthen the Sydney Sixers squad, especially with Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith also expected to join the side after the Sydney Test. Hazlewood has not played in the BBL since 2019 and has never represented any franchise other than the Sydney Sixers. In his last appearance, he featured in just one match.

The experienced pacer has also been named in Australia's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, underlining his importance in the national setup as he returns to full fitness.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Hope he stays fit. Australia's pace attack with him, Starc, and Cummins is scary for any team, including ours. But honestly, the BBL managing player workload like this with supplementary contracts is smart. IPL franchises should take note for managing our star players' fitness.
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Aman W
Another injury-prone fast bowler. 😅 No disrespect to his skill, but Australia seems to have a factory of tall, injury-prone quicks. Focus should be on managing his workload, not rushing him for a domestic T20 league, even if it's the BBL.
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Sarah B
As an Aussie living in Mumbai, this is exciting! The BBL needs its stars back. But the real test will be the World Cup on slow, turning tracks here. Will his style be as effective? Spinners might be the key, not pace.
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Vikram M
Good to see him back. Always respected his discipline. But the article says T20 WC is in the subcontinent. Hope our grounds and pitches are ready to host a smooth tournament. That's the bigger challenge for us than facing Hazlewood!
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Karthik V
His accuracy is a nightmare in any format. BBL return is a good warm-up, but all eyes are on 2026. Indian team management should already be analyzing his recent bowling videos. Preparation starts now!

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