SYDNEY: In the brief window between the Pakistan and West Indies Test series, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Alex Carey have been declared available for their club’s upcoming BBL matches; however, Travis Head, the hero of the ODI World Cup final, has been rested. Carey will start for Adelaide Strikers against Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday, while Khawaja and Labuschagne are scheduled to play for the unbeaten Brisbane Heat against Perth Scorchers at the Gabba. David Warner intends to take a helicopter to the game following his brother’s wedding, thus Steven Smith is also anticipated to play for the Sydney Sixers against the Sydney Thunder on Friday. Warner intends to fly in by helicopter to Thunder’s BBL game versus the Sixers. The Heat, who have won six of their past eight games and are already guaranteed a spot in the top three of the regular season, will have to make some difficult selections due to the availability of Khawaja and Labuschagne, who played in the season’s opening game against the Melbourne Stars. Their next two games, against the Scorchers, the reigning champs, will probably decide who wins and gets to host the January 19 qualifying final. “It will be good for the group to have Usman and Marnus back around the team, especially as we get into the business end of the competition,” Wade, the Heat’s coach, said. With just two wins under their belt, Carey’s return is encouraging for the struggling Strikers, who are presently sixth and will probably need to win their final three games to have any hope of making the playoffs.
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A statement from the Strikers stated: “In consultation with Cricket Australia medical staff, Travis Head will not be available for Big Bash selection during the break between international Test series”Carey’s availability for Thursday’s comeback match against the Hurricanes in Hobart has not yet been guaranteed. Mitchell Marsh will not be available for the Scorchers’ Wednesday matchup against the Heat in Brisbane. Although they have never been expected to participate, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc joined as marquee supplemental players with the Thunder and Sixers, respectively, this season so they may play a part in marketing the tournament. Due to scheduling conflicts and his desire to concentrate on red-ball cricket, Cameron Green chose not to sign a BBL contract this season. As a result, he is currently without one. Prior to joining the BBL, Lance Morris of the Scorpiors and Scott Boland of the Stars were cut from the Test team. The Melbourne Renegades’ next match is on Saturday, the day the Test team is supposed to assemble in Adelaide in preparation for the first Test against the West Indies starting on January 17. Nathan Lyon will not be able to make his Melbourne Renegades debut this season. With the Sydney Test against India in the first week of January marking the end of the home summer, there will be a much longer window for Australia’s Test players to play in the BBL the following season. The ODI World Cup forced a delayed start to this season’s schedule.
