Mitchell Starc Set to End 11-Year BBL Absence With Sydney Sixers: "Test Cricket Schedule Must Not Be Touched"

Australian pace legend Mitchell Starc is poised to play his first Big Bash League match in 11 seasons after signing with the Sydney Sixers for BBL|15, but the 35-year-old has issued a strong warning that any future changes to the competition must not compromise Test cricket's sacred status. Starc, who retired from T20 internationals earlier in 2025, could feature in up to three league matches plus finals starting January 11, depending on his recovery from the grueling five-match Ashes series.

A Long-Awaited Return

The left-arm speedster last appeared in the BBL during the 2014 edition, when he took 20 wickets in 10 matches for the Sixers. His involvement in the competition's inaugural 2011-12 season remains memorable—he claimed 13 wickets from just six games, including two wickets in the final as the Sixers defeated Perth Scorchers to become the first BBL champions.

Starc's return represents one of the biggest signings in BBL history. The Sixers have secured him as a supplementary player, a designation that allows Cricket Australia-contracted players with limited availability to join franchises without occupying one of the 18 primary roster spots.

"I can't wait to pull on the Sixers' fresh magenta playing shirt in BBL|15. Over the past decade I've stayed close to the club and, all things going to plan, am excited to get back on the field this summer. The Sixers are close to my heart, and I have great memories of our BBL|01 and Champions League success. My goal is to help bring another trophy home to our passionate fans."

Why Now?

Starc's decision to return stems directly from his T20I retirement in mid-2025. Having finished as Australia's second-highest T20I wicket-taker with 79 scalps, Starc chose to step away from the format to prolong his Test career and remain available for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

This strategic retirement creates a genuine window of opportunity. After the fifth Ashes Test concludes on January 8 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Starc has no international commitments until the Indian Premier League begins in late March. This gap allows him to potentially feature in three BBL matches—January 11 versus Hobart Hurricanes, January 16 against Sydney Thunder (featuring Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin), and January 18—plus the finals series if the Sixers qualify.

"I've got no cricket scheduled between the fifth Test and the IPL at this stage. An opportunity to play some BBL cricket, I've obviously been a part of the small part of the Sixers throughout the 15 seasons, so it's nice to return to potentially a playing role. Obviously, we've got the five Test matches to focus on, first and foremost. But post that, it's obviously my intention to be available to play some part if called upon."

Strong Stand on Test Cricket's Primacy

While expressing excitement about his BBL return, Starc made his position crystal clear regarding the ongoing discussions about BBL scheduling and potential privatization: Test cricket must remain untouchable.

"I'm fine with BBL windows. The only view I have on it is the Test cricket schedule is not to be touched. Test cricket is the pinnacle. I don't think Test cricket should make way for T20 cricket at all. Whether it's the BBL, the IPL, anything, the Test summer is the Test summer. I would hate to see that change for domestic cricket."

This statement comes amid Cricket Australia's investigations into allowing private investment in the BBL, with potential investors reportedly keen on creating a clearer window for Australia's Test players to participate more regularly. Currently, the BBL runs from mid-December through late January, directly overlapping with Australia's traditional Test summer.

Starc emphasized that his stance wasn't criticism of any particular competition but rather a fundamental belief about cricket's hierarchy.

"That is not a snipe at anyone. That's just my opinion of Test cricket and where it sits on my priority list. Whether you move the Big Bash into a smaller window and play back-to-back, it's T20 cricket. It's not as physically demanding as Test cricket. I know they've shortened the schedule already. I think that's been a positive impact."

BBL's Star-Studded Season

Starc's signing caps what promises to be one of the BBL's most talent-rich seasons. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will play the entire season for Sydney Thunder, marking his first full BBL campaign. Australian legends David Warner and Steve Smith are also confirmed participants, while Pakistan star Babar Azam could feature for the Sixers if the Pakistan Cricket Board's recent suspension of No Objection Certificates for overseas leagues is overturned.

The potential January 16 Sydney derby between Sixers and Thunder at the SCG could feature Starc, Ashwin, Warner, Smith, and Azam in the same match—a marquee clash that underscores the BBL's growing appeal to international stars.

BBL head Alistair Dobson expressed his delight at securing Starc's services:

"To have Mitch signing off for Sixers it just shows that it's still a comp that everyone wants to play in."

Limited Availability Moving Forward

Despite the excitement surrounding Starc's return, his BBL involvement may be short-lived. Australia have Test commitments in India scheduled for January 2027, with Starc publicly stating his desire to extend his international career through the 2027 ODI World Cup. This means the 2025-26 BBL season could represent a rare window where domestic T20 cricket fits into his schedule.

Sydney Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes acknowledged both Starc's quality and his leadership value to the franchise.

"Mitch's strike power with both the new and old ball is unmatched, and we hope he will play a vital role in our push towards the finals. Even when not playing in recent years, Mitch has shown himself to be a great ambassador for the club and we look forward to that leadership playing a major role on and off field in BBL|15."

The Scheduling Dilemma

Starc's comments highlight cricket's most pressing global challenge: reconciling competing demands from Test cricket, bilateral series, franchise leagues, and player workload management. Dobson acknowledged the complexity:

"Global scheduling is a really challenging topic. It's only getting more complicated. And the ability, not only for the BBL to grow, but the Australian team to continue to play great cricket around the world, is really important. How you combine all those things is part art, part science and a little bit of luck probably along the way. So the future FTP is a little way away, but as we look at the future of the BBL it will be part of those discussions."

The BBL has already shortened its schedule in recent seasons, with the current edition running from December 14 to January 25—a more compact window than previous years. However, creating a true gap that allows Australia's Test stars to participate without compromising international commitments remains elusive.

What This Means for the Sixers

Starc's addition gives the Sixers arguably the BBL's most formidable pace attack. Alongside England's Sam Curran, Sean Abbott, and potentially Josh Hazlewood (if available), the Sixers boast genuine death-bowling firepower. Add in the batting prowess of Steve Smith, Babar Azam, and captain Moises Henriques, and the three-time BBL champions are strong favorites to add a fourth title.

The franchise has maintained a connection with Starc throughout his decade-long absence, listing him as a supplementary player in recent seasons even when his availability was minimal. That loyalty and patience now pays dividends as he returns in a genuine playing capacity.

Conclusion

Mitchell Starc's BBL comeback after 11 years represents more than just a marquee signing—it symbolizes the evolving balance between international commitments and domestic T20 leagues. His firm stance that Test cricket must remain paramount offers a counterpoint to the increasing commercialization of cricket, reminding administrators that the sport's traditional formats still hold special significance for players and fans alike.

Whether Starc's January appearances for the Sixers become a regular occurrence or remain a one-time opportunity depends largely on Australia's future international schedule. For now, BBL fans can look forward to watching one of cricket's greatest fast bowlers back in magenta, delivering those trademark thunderbolts under the Sydney lights—11 years after his last appearance but with his skills and passion for the format clearly undiminished.