Australia Test players made available for BBL

Multiple Australian players will return to Big Bash League just days after the 4-1 Ashes triumph, with Steve Smith set to join Sydney Sixers, while Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will link up with Brisbane Heat. Others on the list are Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers), Brendan Doggett (Melbourne Renegades), Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers), Todd Murphy (Sydney Sixers), Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster (Hobart Hurricanes).

While the players listed above will be available to play from January 10, Michael Neser (Brisbane Heat) will return to action from January 14 and Mitchell Starc (Sydney Sixers) from January 16.

Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers) and Scott Boland (Melbourne Stars) are set to miss the league, with the former having clarified that he will prioritise preparation for 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be played in February and March in India and Sri Lanka.

As for Boland, he had the heaviest workload amongst all Australian bowlers in the Ashes, being part of all five Tests. He will manage his workload through the BBL absence. Cameron Green, who does not have a BBL contract, will also get an extended break before Australia’s next international assignment, a three-match T20I series in Pakistan in the lead-up to the World Cup

Smith will be available for Sixers' last three matches, starting with the one against Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday. Starc, meanwhile, is likely to remain available against Sydney Thunder on January 16 and Brisbane Heat on January 18.

Josh Hazlewood, who missed the Ashes with a hamstring and Achilles injuries, has been added to the Sixers’ squad but is unlikely to feature.

"The KFC BBL|15 season has delivered outstanding cricket and incredible fan experiences, watched by record crowds and broadcast audiences so far," said Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues. "We are delighted to have number of Australian Test players entering the competition from tomorrow night off the back of their NRMA Insurance Ashes series victory, and thank them for their commitment to the BBL."

Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia's General Manager, National Teams, added:

"We are immensely proud of the Australian Men's Test team and their outstanding result in winning the Ashes. A five-Test match Ashes series is intense. The players and staff deserve great credit for their preparation and management which has enabled sustained performance through what is a full international schedule.

"We have worked with each player on individual plans to best support recovery from the Ashes and preparation for upcoming international commitments including the ICC T20 World Cup. Wherever possible, this includes players representing their clubs in the ongoing KFC BBL|15 season over the coming fortnight."

BBL 2025-26 player availability

January 10 onwards 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)

January 14 onwards Michael Neser (Heat)

January 16 onwards Mitchell Starc (Sixers)