Mitchell Starc eyes BBL return after 11 years

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc is looking to end his 11-year hiatus at the Big Bash League as he committed to a stint with Sydney Sixes for the upcoming season, which is slated to go on from December 14 to January 25. Starc has made himself available for the T20 tournament after the Ashes, which goes on till January 8, subject to his fitness.

Like the last two seasons, Starc has been signed by Sydney Sixers as a supplementary player. This time around however, his recent T20I retirement opens up a realistic window in the second half of the tournament for him to be available. Every team in the BBL is allocated two supplementary spots which allows them to sign Cricket Australia contracted players with limited availability, without taking up one of the primary spots in their 18-man squads.

"I can't wait to pull on the Sixers' fresh magenta playing shirt in BBL|15," Starc said in a statement. "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."

Starc last played for the Sixers in the 2014 season and has 20 wickets in 10 games. He was also part of the team in the first-ever season of BBL, where he played six games. That included the final where the Sixers beat Perth Scorchers to become the inaugural champions. Starc also starred in Sixers' Champions League win in 2012, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

Sixers' general manager Rachael Haynes revealed jumping at the opportunity of bringing Starc back to the side. "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," Haynes said. "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."