David Warner signed full BBL, Steven Smith signs three-year deal for Sydney Sixers

These Test stars are expected to be present between the end of the Sydney Test against India and the departure of the tour of Sri Lanka on January 21 next year, which is the first day of the BBL.

But now that Warner has finished his international career he has been able to run in the BBL. Over the past two seasons, he has played eight games for the Thunder after a ten-year hiatus, including a game where he arrived at the SCG by helicopter last summer.

“Davey is popular wherever he plays, around the world, especially in India and I know the South Asian communities in western Sydney will follow him to the Thunder,” said Trent Copeland, general manager of the Thunder.

“In Davey we get a world-class talent with nearly 20 years of T20 experience and now that he has retired from international cricket, we can count on his full focus and dedication throughout the tournament, including the final.

Smith will be available for four of the Sixers’ games – including a potential derby against Warner’s Thunder – while Labuschagne’s Heat and Carey’s Strikers each have three games in that window.

Smith will be free to play a full BBL season, instead of the final, if he chooses to retire from Test cricket for the next three years but continues to put time aside for his Australian career.

“I have no plans,” Smith said. “I’m enjoying playing at the moment, I’m relaxed and I’m looking forward to this summer. India will be a big challenge, they’re a very good team, think we’re two of the best teams in the world. Going forward in five Tests makes me happy.

Smith is currently one of the Test openers in Australia after replacing Warner at the beginning of the year although that will continue to be debated.

“The talks I’ve had so far are that we’re going to England…I’m there for the one-dayers and I’ll make a decision after that. There are talks going on behind the scenes. Guys like Usman [Khawaja] you said you love me down in Number 4, think Marnus has the same thought pattern. We will wait and see. I’m happy to hit anywhere.”

Smith was a member of the Sixers team that won the first edition of the BBL in 2012 but has been sporadic over the years after making the bubble two summers ago. He became the first Sixers man to hit a century, achieving the feat twice in a five-game streak.

Meanwhile, Labuschagne will return to the Heat, the reigning champions and his long-time BBL franchise, after India’s tour of Australia concludes on January 7.

“His sense of the game is amazing and that is a big help for us on and off the field,” said new Heat coach Johan Botha.

None of the fast trio – Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins – have signed with BBL teams so far and are likely to take a break from bowling ahead of Sri Lanka.