Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
KFC BBL|12 set to become even bigger with the return of Australian Men’s Test team players
The KFC BBL|12 season is about to become even bigger with players from the Australian Men’s Test team set to return to the competition.
Nine players from Australia’s most recent Test XI – David Warner, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw and Ashton Agar – will return to their KFC BBL clubs this week following their 2-0 NRMA Insurance Test series victory over South Africa.
David Warner will represent Sydney Thunder for the first time in nine years in home clash with reigning champions the Perth Scorchers this Friday, January 13. He will play five games for the club for which he scored the BBL’s first ever century in December 2011.
Cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers will welcome club legends Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon back into the fold for their clash against the Scorchers at the SCG on Sunday, January 15. Fans will await the showdown between Warner, Smith, Lyon and their respective sides in the Sydney Smash on Saturday, January 21 at the SCG.
Queensland captain Usman Khawaja could play his first game for the Brisbane Heat as soon as tomorrow, with Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw also returning to the fold. Their inclusions will bolster the Heat batting lineup as they look to keep their Finals hopes alive against the Scorchers at the Gabba. Ashton Agar will return to the Scorchers’ side, which has also recently welcomed back extended Test squad member Lance Morris.
Travis Head and Alex Carey will also return to the Adelaide Strikers side in time for First Nations Round, making their first KFC BBL|12 appearance at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, January 14. They slot into a top order that recently orchestrated the highest run chase in BBL history against the Hobart Hurricanes last week.
With just under three weeks of the KFC BBL|12 home and away season remaining, all teams remain in Finals contention, making the return of Australia’s biggest names crucial to securing a playoffs berth.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager Big Bash Leagues, said:
“Everyone across the League is pumped to welcome members of Australia’s world number one Test team back into the KFC BBL for the run to the Finals.
“We know our fans will be delighted to see even more of their favourite players in BBL colours from this week, alongside those who have already provided so many memorable moments this season.
“From a hat-trick, record breaking scores and run chases, big crowds at marquee games and huge audiences every night across Seven and Foxtel, this BBL season has had it all.
“We look forward to seeing even more fans at the ground over the coming weeks to enjoy the remainder of summer’s number one sports league.”
