Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne commit to BBL with new contracts

Head has signed a two-year deal with Adelaide Strikers while Brisbane Heat have retained Labuschagne for an additional year

Australia pair Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne are set to play this season's Big Bash League season after signing new contracts with Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat.

Head has committed to two more seasons with the Strikers, with whom he has spent the previous 10 years.

Labuschagne meanwhile has penned a 12-month extension with Heat and will be available for six matches during BBL 12.

Both players featured in dispatches last term when the schedule allowed - Head returned for the Eliminator, the Knock-out and the Challenger but Labuschagne only played once - but a fuller role beckons in 2022-23.

^{It remains to be seen if Steve Smith features (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)}

The South Africa Test series covers just over half the preliminary stage, running until January 8, leaving the end of the group stage and the playoffs for players to feature.

Mitchell Starc has already ruled out returning to the BBL and there is uncertainty over whether Steve Smith will feature, following reports he has turned down an initial offer from Sydney Sixers.

A window has been created for Australia's players by The Proteas pulling out of the ODI leg of the tour so players can feature in the new T20 tournament at home.

BBL organisers are pushing for more of their star homegrown players to commit to feature, particularly given the increased competition for overseas talent caused by the new franchise leagues in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates set for early next year.

Related Topics

• Big Bash 2022-23 squads: Full BBL12 player list for all teams
• Imran Tahir, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman lead 71 new entries to BBL draft
• Cameron Boyce returns to Adelaide Strikers ahead of the BBL