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Bird released for Sydney Smash

Test quick to link up with Sydney Sixers for BBL|07 opener, but axed batsman Pete Handscomb is set to remain with the Test squad

Sydney Sixers will regain the services of Jackson Bird for their KFC BBL opener against their cross-town rivals next Tuesday, with the fast bowler released from Australia's Ashes squad to play in the Sydney Smash.

But the Melbourne Stars will be without axed batsman Pete Handscomb for their opening match against Brisbane one day later, with the Victorian to remain with the Test squad in the lead-up to the Boxing Day Test despite being dropped from Australia's XI for the third Magellan Ashes Test in Perth in favour of allrounder Mitch Marsh.


Bird's bowling will be a bonus for the Sixers, with captain Moises Henriques in a race against time to be fit for the tournament opener after picking up a groin injury earlier this month.

The allrounder is optimistic he will be right to take on the Thunder on December 19, but even if he's cleared for that match, it will be as a batsman only and he'll have to wait until later in the tournament to start bowling again.

But they will be without Test stars Mitch Starc and Nathan Lyon, while the Thunder will be missing contracted players Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja, with the quartet to be busy preparing for the fourth Magellan Ashes Test in Melbourne.

While in-form off-spinner Lyon won't turn out for the Sixers until the back end of the BBL, 'keeper Peter Nevill believes he is the Sixers' ace up their sleeve in pursuit of a second Big Bash title.

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Australia's greatest ever off-spinner should be available for the final four regular rounds as well as the finals, provided he isn't called into the one-day squad for the five-game series against England.

Nevill, who has returned to the Sixers in 2017-18 after five seasons with the Melbourne Renegades, said their spin attack of Lyon, Stephen O'Keefe and Johan Botha shaped as a match-winning combination.

"He's a fantastic white-ball bowler," Nevill said. "He's demonstrated that quite a lot so maybe he will be a chance in the Australian side.

"But if not, the Sixers will take him with open arms.

"With Johan Botha, Stephen O'Keefe and most likely Nathan Lyon for the back half of the tournament, I think spin is a real strength of ours.

"We've got a very powerful top order as well."

Other Test names missing from the early stages of BBL|07 are new Test opener Cameron Bancroft, recalled allrounder Mitch Marsh and brother Shaun (all Scorchers), and Tim Paine (Hurricanes).

Steve Smith, David Warner and Josh Hazlewood don't hold BBL contracts.

Six BBL|07 matches will be played before Christmas, with the Sydney Smash to kick off the season at Spotless Stadium on December 19, before the Brisbane Heat host the Stars at the Gabba (December 20).

Hobart will host the Renegades on December 21, the Strikers begin their tournament against the Thunder at home (December 22) before a double-header on the 23rd will see the Renegades host the Heat and the Scorchers meet the Stars.

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