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Smith, Labuschagne, Khawaja Headline Major BBL Boost After Ashes Win

Following Australia's 4-1 Ashes victory, key players like Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja will be available for their Big Bash League teams starting January 10th. Mitchell Starc is also set for a high-profile return to the BBL for the Sydney Sixers after an 11-year hiatus. However, Ashes top-scorer Travis Head and others like Cameron Green will skip the tournament to rest before the T20 World Cup. The influx of Test stars provides a major boost to BBL franchises as they make their final push for playoff positions.

Key Points: Ashes Stars Available for BBL After Test Series

  • Major Ashes stars available for BBL
  • Mitchell Starc returns after 11-year absence
  • Travis Head opts for rest ahead of T20 WC
  • Final BBL push for finals spots
3 min read

Smith, Labuschagne, Khawaja among major Aussie stars available for BBL after Ashes triumph

Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, and Mitchell Starc are among the Australian stars set to feature in the Big Bash League following the Ashes.

"Several players of the Ashes Test squad would switch to the jerseys of their franchises with Mitchell Starc also returning to the BBL for the first time in 11 years. - ESPNCricinfo"

Melbourne, January 9

After spearheading his side's 4-1 Ashes triumph at home, Australian star batter Steve Smith, along with recently Test-retired Usman Khawaja, batter Marnus Labuschagne could be in action for their respective Big Bash League teams just 48 hours after the conclusion of the Sydney Test, reported ESPNCricinfo.

As per ESPNCricinfo, several players of the Ashes Test squad would switch to the jerseys of their franchises with Mitchell Starc also returning to the BBL for the first time in 11 years for the Sydney Sixers. However, Travis Head would be skipping the competition.

Head, who topped the Ashes run scores with 629 runs, including three centuries, had previously said he would be opting for some rest ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka starting from February 7 onwards.

Scott Boland, the third-highest wicket-taker in the Ashes with 20 wickets would not be available to play for Melbourne Stars while all-rounder Cameron Green, who struggled in the series, will also have some time off away from the game.

Smith, who had torched 121* against Perth Scorchers and another half-century in his three-match stint last season, will be available for Sixers' final three regular season fixtures, starting with the Sunday's fixture against Hobart Hurricanes. Currently at fourth spot with four wins and three losses, they are trying to make it to the finals and are three points away from overtaking the Hurricanes (10 points).

Starc is expected to be a part of the clash against the Sydney Thunder and later against the Brisbane Heat on January 16 and 18, respectively. Starc had announced his T20I retirement last year.

The Sixers also recently announced Josh Hazlewood, as one of their supplementary players, but he looks highly unlikely to feature, as he may opt for some rest ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Khawaja (Heat), Labuschagne (Heat), Alex Carey (Strikers), wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis (Scorchers) are among the players who could start playing from January 10 onwards, while Michael Neser, who took 15 wickets in three Ashes Tests, including a fifer at Brisbane during the pink-ball Test at Brisbane, would be available from January 14 for Heat.

As far as the BBL points table is concerned, only the Sydney Thunder is out of contention, placed on the bottom with just one win and six losses. Only four points separate the seventh-placed Melbourne Renegades (six points) from the table-toppers Hurricanes.

Australia will be playing three T20Is in Pakistan before the T20 World Cup, and players will depart for Pakistan in a staggered manner depending on how far their BBL franchises go in the tournament.

The squad which will travel to Pakistan for the T20Is is yet to be announced, but is likely to feature some additional names besides the 15-man T20 WC 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).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Smart move by Travis Head to skip and rest. The T20 World Cup is more important, and playing in India/Sri Lanka conditions is tough. Our Indian team needs to be prepared for him and the other Aussies. Their depth is scary.
R
Rohit P
Mitchell Starc returning to BBL after 11 years is the headline for me! What a bowler. But honestly, as an Indian fan, I'm more focused on the T20 World Cup squad. Hope our selectors are watching how these players manage their workload.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see how they balance BBL and national duty. The schedule is packed. I appreciate the detailed availability list in the article. The Sixers look strong now with Smith and potentially Starc.
V
Vikram M
Khawaja and Labuschagne for the Heat! That's a solid top order. But I have a respectful criticism: the article mentions Pakistan T20Is, but the focus should be on the World Cup. BBL is good practice, but the real test is in the subcontinent.
K
Karthik V
Scott Boland not playing is a shame. He was brilliant in the Ashes. Melbourne Stars could have used him. Anyway, the BBL finals race is tight, just like our IPL sometimes. Makes for exciting cricket!

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