Smith, Labuschagne, Konstas to make BBL appearances before Sri Lanka tour

Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, who were all part of the Australian squad that defeated India in a five-match Test series, have been allowed to feature in a couple of 2024-24 Big Bash League matches before the tour of Sri Lanka. 

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, Smith will feature in three encounters for Sydney Sixers, while Labuschagne and Khawaja will get to play a game for Brisbane Heat against Hobart Hurricanes on January 16. Meanwhile, Sam Konstas will play for Sydney Thunder on Wednesday and be available for their last four matches.

Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Marsh and Jhye Richardson have also been given the green light to feature in the remainder of the BBL. However, Travis Head, Scott Boland, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc have been given rest before the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, starting on January 29.

Australia are supposed to announce the squad in a couple of days, and will depart for the UAE for a pre-tour camp on January 19 or 20. Therefore, Australian players won’t be available the BBL finals series which runs from January 21-27. Cricket Australia’s high-performance team have already announced the availability and unavailability of all these players to the BBL teams.

"A five-Test match series is gruelling, and this was amplified by the intensity of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The players and staff deserve great credit for their preparation and management, which has enabled sustained performance through what is a full international schedule,” said CA's head of National Teams, Ben Oliver.

"We have worked with each player to form individualised plans which will best support recovery from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and preparation for upcoming international commitments including the tour of Sri Lanka and ICC Champions Trophy. Wherever possible, this includes players representing their clubs in the ongoing BBL season over the coming fortnight."

Meanwhile, BBL general manager Alistair Dobson added: "We are delighted to have number of Australian Test players entering the competition from tonight off the back of their historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory, and thank them for their commitment to the BBL.”

Australia have already qualified for the World Test Championship final, where they will meet South Africa at Lord’s.