Marnus Labuschagne, the winner of the ODI World Cup, and Usman Khawaja, the first Test player, are both eligible to play in the Brisbane Heat’s Big Bash League (BBL) opener against the Melbourne Stars. Both cricket players have committed to playing in the first game, which is scheduled for December 7 at the Gabba, one week before Australia plays Pakistan in Perth in the first Test match of the series.
Notably, Usman Khawaja, who turns 37 next month, hasn’t participated in many games lately.
The southpaw hasn’t taken part in any other competition, but he did play a few Sheffield Shield games for Queensland. But before he joined the national team for the Test series against Pakistan and then the West Indies, he wanted to play for the Heat.
The addition of Khawaja and Labuschagne, meanwhile, is a huge help for the team as they attempt to make the playoffs once more. Labuschagne will be full of confidence as he looks to keep him available for the June-dating T20 World Cup next year, having recently played a critical innings for Australia in the World Cup final against India.
However, Matthew Renshaw, Nathan McSweeney, Jimmy Peirson, and Michael Neser will not be available for the Brisbane Heat since they have all been called up to the Prime Minister’s XI side, which will play a warm-up match against Pakistan prior to the three-match Test series. Nonetheless, Sam Billings, Colin Munro, and Paul Walter—their three draft choices—are up for selection.
Despite having a busy World Cup schedule that includes a five-match T20I series against India, World Cup winners Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will be available for their opponent Melbourne Stars and may even play the opening game. In their first match, the Stars will also have access to Haris Rauf and Usama Mir of Pakistan. Notably, Rauf will play in the BBL despite having recently been removed from Pakistan’s Test team.
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