The Big Bash League is set for a big mid-season shake-up, with a number of overseas players departing, but others arriving and the majority of Australia's Test side set to play for a few weeks before jetting out to India.
All of David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon have contracts in the BBL.
Only the pace-bowling arsenal of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will sit out, although Boland has previously hinted at both Melbourne clubs potentially being interested in handing him a late run through the tournament.
And given he didn't play in Sydney, and could be watching on from the outer in India with Australia expecting to only play two quicks in each Test, don't be surprised to see Boland shape up as part of the BBL.
Intriguingly (or frustratingly), the finals of the tournament will likely come too late for the Test squad. The first finals match is on January 27, and while that, as well as matches on the 28th and 29th of January might be just before the Test squad fly out, the grand final qualifier on February 2, and the final itself on February 4, will be played without Test players.
The three big quicks will miss out altogether, but here is when you can expect to see the rest playing ahead of their departure for India.
Adelaide Strikers
Players: Alex Carey, Travis Head
Travis Head has already confirmed he and Alex Carey will miss the clash on Tuesday evening against the Melbourne Renegades, but the duo could return immediately after that, making Head and Carey available for five Adelaide Strikers matches. That will include a tussle against Steve Smith's Sixers and the Heat with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne.
Matches to play
Thursday, January 12, 7:15pm, vs Melbourne Stars at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, January 14, 4:00pm, vs Brisbane Heat at Adelaide Oval
Tuesday, January 17, 7:15pm, vs Sydney Sixers at Sydney Cricket Ground
Friday, January 20, 4:30pm, vs Perth Scorchers at Adelaide Oval
Tuesday, January 24, 7:15pm, vs Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium
Brisbane Heat
Players: Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja
The two-star Australian batsmen - who played out the summer in great form - will need to find touch quickly for the Brisbane Heat. Their first opportunity to play is a home clash against the Perth Scorchers on Wednesday, and if they line up, they will play six games each.
Matches to play
Wednesday, January 11, 7:40pm, vs Perth Scorchers at The Gabba
Saturday, January 14, 4:00pm, vs Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval
Monday, January 16, 7:15pm, vs Melbourne Stars at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Friday, January 20, 8:00pm, vs Hobart Hurricanes at The Gabba
Sunday, January 22, 1:40pm, vs Melbourne Stars at The Gabba
Wednesday, January 25, 1:40pm, vs Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena
Hobart Hurricanes
Players: Nil
Melbourne Renegades
Players: Nil
Melbourne Stars
Players: Nil
Perth Scorchers
Players: Lance Morris, Ashton Agar
The Stars will have Lance Morris and Ashton Agar (who only missed BBL games for the Sydney Test) back in the fold for the remainder of the BBL, while Cameron Green is part of the squad but will miss the remainder of the tournament with a finger injury as he races the clock to be fit for the first Test in India.
Matches to play
Wednesday, January 11, 7:40pm, vs Brisbane Heat at The Gabba
Friday, January 13, 6:30pm, vs Sydney Thunder at Sydney Showground
Sunday, January 15, 7:15pm, vs Sydney Sixers at Sydney Cricket Ground
Wednesday, January 18, 7:40pm, vs Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium
Friday, January 20, 4:30pm, vs Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval
Sunday, January 22, 7:15pm vs Melbourne Renegades at Optus Stadium
Sydney Sixers
Players: Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon
Both Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon will make their long-awaited return to the BBL in a Sydney Sixers team who continue to hum along at the top of the competition. The Sixers don't play again until Sunday, so both should feature in all four remaining games, with three of those at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Matches to play
Sunday, January 15, 7:15pm, vs Perth Scorchers at Sydney Cricket Ground
Tuesday, January 17, 7:15pm, vs Adelaide Strikers at Sydney Cricket Ground
Saturday, January 21, 7:05pm, vs Sydney Thunder at Sydney Cricket Ground
Monday, January 23, 7:15pm, vs Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena
Sydney Thunder
David Warner will turn out for the Sydney Thunder after a long stint of “will he or won't he” leading into the season. The Thunder are on the edge of the finals race, and Warner could play five games for the men in green, with three of those away from the Showgrounds, where the pitch often isn't exactly conducive to fast-scoring.
Matches to play
Friday, January 13, 6:30pm, vs Perth Scorchers at Sydney Showgrounds
Sunday, January 15, 1:40pm, vs Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena
Thursday, January 19, 7:15pm, vs Melbourne Renegades at Sydney Showgrounds
Saturday, January 21, 7:05pm, vs Sydney Sixers at Sydney Cricket Ground
Wednesday, January 25, 7:15pm, vs Melbourne Stars at Melbourne Cricket Ground
