When do Australia's Test Players return to the BBL?

The Big Bash League is set to welcome back a number of Australian stars this summer with a scheduled series of international dates now cancelled by the visiting South Africa.

Cricket South Africa's decision to pull out of a January ODI competition with Australia presents the unique opportunity for members of the test squad to return to their respective BBL franchises.

Let's take a look at the players that will feature in the BBL once the Australian Test Summer comes to a close. 

Which Australian test players will play in the BBL?

Below you'll find the full squad for the Sydney Test, which begans on Wednesday, January 4 and concluded five days later.

*Three players, Cummins, Boland and Hazlewood, are yet to commit to a BBL franchise for the 2023 campaign and are unlikely to take part in the competition

Aside from the injured Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc, the remainder of the Australian test squad selected for Sydney will likely suit up for their respective BBL squads.

When are the members of the Australian test team available to play BBL?

Thankfully for fans of domestic short form cricket, the Cricket South Africa decision to withdraw their players from a three match ODI series in January has opened a window for Australia's international representatives to return to BBL duties. 

That window, which is normally reserved for the touring test team to ply their shorter form skills on the international stage, now leaves some of the most recognisable Australian players with an opportunity to return to the domestic level.

The final test match of the Australian Test series against South Africa ends on January 8 - if the match extends over five days - meaning members of the Australian test team will be available to play BBL from January 9.

It all bodes well for a stellar end to the BBL|12 season.

Stats Insider is your home for betting on BBL|12, with the latest Big Bash League betting news, tips for every BBL|12 game and  futures odds for BBL|12.

Which members of the test team have BBL teams?

While not every single Australian Test representative has the transferrable skills to play T20 cricket, there's a significant portion of players who will find themselves in BBL colours.

While test captain Pat Cummins and fellow fast bowlers Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood are without BBL teams heading into 2023, the rest of the squad selected to play in Sydney have committed to Big Bash teams as the test summer draws to a close.

Check the table above to see which players have committed to which franchise.

Who's excited to see Dave Warner donning the lime green? 🙋‍♀️

Don't miss your chance to watch him continue his cricket magic this summer - and as a member, you get all the best perks 👀

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— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) January 2, 2023

When will Australian Test players make their BBL debuts?

January 10 is the first game following the final day of the Australian Test Summer, which lines up with the Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades match up.

Providing all participants are available and fit to play, Travis Head and Alex Carey will return for the Strikers while Marcus Harris will suit up for the Melbourne Renegades.

Following that match up, the Heat host the Scorchers on January 11, which sees the return of Lance Morris (Scorchers), Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja (Heat).

Dave Warner is set to make his highly anticipated return to the BBL on January 13 when his Thunder host the Scorchers, while Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon have to wait until January 15 until they make their 2023 debuts in magenta as their Sixers play the Scorchers in Sydney.

When do the BBL 22/23 Finals Start?

The first eliminator match of the BBL 22/23 season begins on Friday, January 27, with the qualifier a day after on Saturday, January 28.

Sunday, January 29 is the knockout game of BBL 22/23, with the challenger game played on Thursday, February 2.

The BBL 22/23 final takes place on Sunday, February 4.

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)