Big Bash League to welcome back Test cricket stars including Sam Konstas, Steve Smith, Beau Webster and more

The Big Bash League is about to get bigger with Cricket Australia revealing how many games each of the nation’s Test stars will be available for.

Axed all-rounder Mitch Marsh will play his first BBL game in three years on Tuesday night, as the Perth Scorchers host the Melbourne Renegades at Optus Stadium.

Pace ace Jhye Richardson will also return after spending time with the Test squad in Sydney. Both Marsh and Richardson will be available for the remainder of the tournament.

Injury-decimated Sydney Thunder will welcome teenage sensation Sam Konstas back, while SCG debutant Beau Webster will don green for the Melbourne Stars.

Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers) and Sean Abbott (Sydney Sixers) will also be available for the rest of the BBL season.

Steve Smith will be available for three matches starting with Sydney Sixers’ clash with Perth Scorchers at the SCG on January 11.

Brisbane Heat pair Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will only be available for their side’s final home game on January 16.

In the coming weeks, the remaining Test squad members will follow individual management plans jointly formed with players and Cricket Australia to prepare them for upcoming international commitments.

That includes the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka starting in late January and a one-off ODI in late February.

It comes after Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a 3-1 series win over India.

The Test stars’ inclusions are a massive boost for the tournament, which has recorded a 15 per cent growth on Seven and 7Plus this summer.

Australia’s bowling quintet including captain Pat Cummins (Sydney Thunder), Josh Hazlewood (Sydney Sixers), Mitchell Starc (Sydney Sixers), Nathan Lyon (Melbourne Renegades) and Scott Boland (Melbourne Stars) will not take part in BBL14.

Star batter Travis Head will also not feature for the Adelaide Strikers.