All clubs will play in front of their home fans in the first eight days of the 14th edition of the Men's Big Bash League. Reigning champions Brisbane Heat will cap an epic eight-day opener when they take on Adelaide Strikers on December 22.
Sydney Thunder will host two games in week one - Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17 before returning to their western suburbs base four days later for the first clash of the season on Saturday night, a successful Sydney Smash against the Sixers. That game will form part of a Super Saturday double-header with the Hobart Hurricanes to play their first home game of the season in a twilight game against the Scorchers at Blundstone Arena.
Australia's men's Test players will again have the opportunity to suit up for their Big Bash teams with each club playing at least three regular season matches after the end of the fifth Border-Gavaskar Test on January 7.
Usman Khawaja (Heat), Nathan Lyon (Renegades) and Mitch Marsh (Scorchers) are currently the only Test regulars with BBL deals for next season, but batsmen Travis Head, Alex Carey (both Strikers), Marnus Labuschagne (Heat ) and Steve Smith. (Sixers) have long-standing affiliations with their clubs and all remain confident in securing their deals for the tournament.
Clubs can also sign a maximum of two Cricket Australia-contracted players on a featured complementary list, as the Sixers and Thunder did with Mitchell Starc and Test captain Pat Cummins respectively last season, and add them to their squad in if they are available.
“This is a brilliant schedule for fans, with non-stop action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love,” said CA Big Bash Leagues General Manager Alistair Dobson.
"We also can't wait to welcome members of the Australian Test team back in January, taking advantage of a larger window after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series."
The league final series will follow the same four-match format as last season, beginning with the qualifier on January 21 and concluding with a final on January 27.
Sydney Thunder will host two games in week one - Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17 before returning to their western suburbs base four days later for the first clash of the season on Saturday night, a successful Sydney Smash against the Sixers. That game will form part of a Super Saturday double-header with the Hobart Hurricanes to play their first home game of the season in a twilight game against the Scorchers at Blundstone Arena.
Australia's men's Test players will again have the opportunity to suit up for their Big Bash teams with each club playing at least three regular season matches after the end of the fifth Border-Gavaskar Test on January 7.
Usman Khawaja (Heat), Nathan Lyon (Renegades) and Mitch Marsh (Scorchers) are currently the only Test regulars with BBL deals for next season, but batsmen Travis Head, Alex Carey (both Strikers), Marnus Labuschagne (Heat ) and Steve Smith. (Sixers) have long-standing affiliations with their clubs and all remain confident in securing their deals for the tournament.
Clubs can also sign a maximum of two Cricket Australia-contracted players on a featured complementary list, as the Sixers and Thunder did with Mitchell Starc and Test captain Pat Cummins respectively last season, and add them to their squad in if they are available.
“This is a brilliant schedule for fans, with non-stop action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love,” said CA Big Bash Leagues General Manager Alistair Dobson.
"We also can't wait to welcome members of the Australian Test team back in January, taking advantage of a larger window after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series."
The league final series will follow the same four-match format as last season, beginning with the qualifier on January 21 and concluding with a final on January 27.
