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Henriques keen to see Aussie trio back at Sixers

The veteran Sixers captain is hoping a trio of Australia stars will wear the famous magenta jersey at BBL|09

Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques hopes the stars align for Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to return this summer to his Big Bash League franchise.

A month-long gap between tours of India and South Africa in January and February has created an opportunity for Australia's best players to join the Twenty20 competition.

Smith, Hazlewood and Starc, having all previously donned the magenta, are eyeing potential BBL returns.

"That would be amazing if they could come back and play for the Sixers," Henriques said.

"I haven't heard anything. I'd definitely take those three in the 11 any day of the week. I hope the rumours are true because they will definitely help our chances."

Starc sizzles for the Sixers

Smith is focused on the World Cup but understood to be keen on a return to the Sixers, after captaining them to the inaugural BBL title in 2012.

The gifted batsman also played a behind-the-scenes role last summer, mentoring Josh Philippe and others while serving a year-long ban.

Henriques has been watching Smith and Starc in the World Cup and describes their performance as "A-Grade".

"Steve's come in, in every game ,and he's sort of upped the tempo of the Australian innings," he said.

"He's looked to score off every ball. He's got out a couple of times trying to move the game forward - which I thought was the exact right choices at the time.

"I think the decision-making is spot on. He's already made a couple of contributions to Australia winning games."

He said Mitchell Starc had been bowling at crucial times at the death.

"At the back end of the overs, where so many bowlers can get smacked around, he seems to find a way to break through and take wickets," he said.

Image Id: 70C90AD340EA4C0792228B7F303C62D2 Image Caption: The new Norm O'Neill Cricket and Community Centre in Sydney // Cricket NSW

Henriques joined Sarah Aley of the Sixers and the NSW Breakers' Trent Copeland, Rene Farrell and Tahlia Wilson to be the first cricketers to bowl at Friday's opening of the Norm O'Neill Cricket Training Facility in Penshurst.

"I scored my first-ever 100 on Penshurst Park back in the under 10s which was nice," he said.

"I literally started my cricket here so it's nice to come back and see what it's turned into."