Samantha Rogers: Buy-in from international Test stars keeps cricket fans engaged in Big Bash League post-Ashes

After more than a month of action, the Big Bash has reached the pointy end of the season.

The best are being separated from the rest, with finals spots decided and teams ruled out of title contention.

What started with eight franchises on even ground, will end with one on the podium, raising the cup above their heads as champions later this month.

There were question marks around the hunger for the BBL this summer, given a December and January calendar that included a five-match blockbuster Ashes series.

But despite Australia’s 4-1 victory over England smashing viewership records on Seven and 7Plus, and attendance through the roof, the appetite for domestic cricket’s showpiece event has shown no signs of slowing down.

Big Bash crowds are up across the nation, with Perth Scorchers continuing to pack out Optus Stadium and the Sydney and Melbourne derbies proving the budding rivalry is alive and well.

Even Australia’s international stars were itching to don their respective colours and represent their sides in the tournament.

Usman Khawaja, fresh off his red-ball retirement, and Marnus Labuschagne, who played all five Tests, rushed to link up with the Brisbane Heat while stand-in skipper Steve Smith hurried to Sydney to link-up with Pakistan superstar Babar Azam for the Sixers.

And Alex Carey, who kept for five Tests and played a crucial role with the bat, was immediately on the plane to Adelaide to do the same for the Strikers.

The tireless gloveman also joined the commentary team in Hobart for the Hurricanes shock loss to the Heat on Wednesday, providing invaluable insight into his Test teammates.

Mitchell Starc (Sydney Sixers) Todd Murphy (Sydney Sixers), Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers), Jake Weatherald (Hobart Hurricanes), Brendan Doggett (Melbourne Renegades), Michael Neser (Brisbane Heat) and Beau Webster (Hobart Hurricanes) were also made available for selection after featuring in the Ashes or touring with the squad over summer.

Only Scott Boland (Melbourne Stars), Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers) and Cameron Green (uncontracted) were not released by Cricket Australia.

It’s this level of buy-in from Australia’s biggest stars that demands cricket fans stick around, long after the English have left our shores and rival sports attempt to drag eyeballs away.

Just as the AFL pre-season returns and the Australian Open begins, the sight of Starc steaming in wearing magenta at the SCG will command the attention it deserves.

Fresh off player of the series honours, Starc, featuring in his first Big Bash game in 11 years against the Thunder on Friday, insists he will give it his all with white ball in hand.

“I’ve got two months to rest after the Big Bash,” he said.

“There’s still enough in the tank to get through T20 cricket for another couple of weeks, and then I can put my feet up.”

The star-studded Sixers remain in the mix for finals, with a handful of games to play in the regular season. They will host the 40th match on January 18 and then it’s straight into finals.

The Qualifier is pencilled in for January 20, The Knockout on the 21st and The Challenger on the 23rd. It’s all systems go until the decider on January 25.

Currently, reigning champions Hobart Hurricanes are top of the table, only one point clear of second spot.

The finals format will favour the minor champion but it’s anyone’s crown to claim if you make the top four.

That quartet will be decided in the coming days, with all eyes on the game’s biggest stars to get their sides over the line.