BBL 2024-25 Schedule Released, Test Players' Availability Uncertain

The Big Bash League (BBL) is set to return for its 2024-25 season, with the schedule released on Friday. The season will commence on December 15 with the Perth Scorchers hosting the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium. The final will be played on January 27, which is a public holiday in Australia.

BBL officials are hopeful that Australia's Test players will be able to feature in the latter stages of the regular season in January. However, availability will depend on workloads after the five-Test series against India. Players involved in the subsequent two-Test tour of Sri Lanka will not be available for the BBL finals, which run from January 21-27.

The BBL has introduced a new mechanism that allows clubs to sign Australia-contracted players outside of their 18-player squad. This option was taken up by Pat Cummins (Sydney Thunder) and Mitchell Starc (Sydney Sixers) last season, although neither player featured for their clubs.

Last season, several Australian Test players made brief appearances in the BBL between the Pakistan and West Indies series. Steven Smith played twice for Sydney Sixers, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne twice for Brisbane Heat, and Alex Carey once for Adelaide Strikers.

The overseas player draft is expected to take place in early September, with clubs now able to sign players before the draft on a multi-year deal.

The Perth Scorchers will host the opening match of the season against the Melbourne Stars at Optus Stadium. The Adelaide Strikers will host their traditional fixture at Adelaide Oval on New Year's Eve against the Scorchers, while the Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers will face off on New Year's Day at Blundstone Arena.

One of the major controversies last season was the abandoned game in Geelong between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers due to a damp pitch. However, GMHBA Stadium has been given another chance and will host the Renegades' first home game against the Hurricanes on December 19.

Tags: #BBL, #Cricket, #Australia, #TestPlayers, #Schedule