The fact that the Australian players chosen for the India tour would be available during the Big Bash League’s (BBL) finals week has given the current season a huge boost. If their teams finish in the top five in the points standings, players like Steve Smith and David Warner among others will play in the playoffs for their respective clubs. So far, only Smith’s Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers have declared their eligibility.
After the league stage, the athletes were supposed to depart in order to catch their trip to India for the impending four-match Test series. However, The West Australian reports that because the Test squad won’t be leaving the nation until January 31, they will be able to participate in the BBL. Before leaving, Cricket Australia will organise a special training clinic for the few players going to India. Ashton Agar, Todd Murphy, and Mitchell Swepson will make up the spin bowling attack, and Peter Handscomb will bat. If their team advances to the BBL finals, this has all but eliminated the quartet.
Steve Smith has had a fantastic comeback in the BBL, scoring 262 runs in three innings while hitting two consecutive tonnes. He started the innings off with a great strike rate of 131 and has already hit a stunning 18 sixes. David Warner’s return hasn’t been all that fantastic while he’s been playing for the Sydney Thunder, but he’ll be eager to aid his team in making the playoffs. The BBL’s league stage is expected to end on January 25 and the playoffs are expected to start on January 27. Smith will participate in at least two more games for the Sixers, including the tiebreaker against Perth Scorchers and the final league game.