Cricket: Warner to enjoy full Thunder campaign

The Big Bash League has often struggled to ensure that Australia's leading players are available to play a major role in the competition due to their international commitments.

However, this season promises to be slightly different, with David Warner free to play a full part for Sydney Thunder after calling time on his Baggy Greens career, while Steven Smith has agreed a new three-year contract to remain with Sydney Sixers.

Batters to take advantage of international gap

Warner has only played in eight BBL games across the last two seasons, but is now able to commit fully to his Thunder franchise, with the 37-year-old left-hander the leading Australian runscorer in T20I cricket.

Having played in 110 T20 internationals for his country, Warner has made a mere 11 appearances in the Big Bash to date, although he did register a century in his only outing for Thunder during the 2011/12 season, against Melbourne Stars.

Thunder won their only Big Bash title to date in 2015/16 and Warner will feature alongside the likes of Cameron Bancroft and English pair Alex Hales and Tom Kohler-Cadmore as they try to end the wait for a second success.

Meanwhile, veteran right-hander Smith has pledged his future to Sixers, although he remains a key player for Australia in the Test match arena.

However, there is a two-week window on the international calendar between January 7 and January 21 when the Baggy Greens stars will be available to feature in the BBL in early 2025.

Smith is not seen as a natural hitter to star in the 20-over format, however, he excelled in the 2022/23 season when making two centuries in five innings - against Adelaide Strikers and Thunder.

He also has a century in the IPL on his record, made for Rising Pune Supergiant during the 2016 season.

Marnus Labuschagne is set to feature again for Brisbane Heat, although it should be noted that eh has made just one 50 in 26 innings for Heat over the years.

Alex Carey, like Labuschagne, has played for just one BBL franchise during his career and has signed a new four-year deal with Strikers, for whom he has an impressive record of two centuries and 11 50s in 56 innings across the seasons.

Bowlers may opt to take a break

While international batters look set to make the most of a rare opportunity to play a major role in the BL during the 2024/25 season, Australia's leading pacemen look like they may decide to rest up.

A tour of Sri Lanka starting in late January could well be a testing assignment for the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc and none of that leading trio currently have contracts with Big Bash franchises.

That situation may change in the coming months, but taking a break may well prove to be very necessary as Australia bring the curtain down on their 2024 international programme with a blockbuster five-match home Test series against India.

The final game in that series is due to finish on Monday January 7 and by that time the likes of Cummins and Hazlewood may well be looking forward to putting their feet up instead of taking to the T20 arena.