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Test stars return for final round of BBL

Scott Bailey and Steve BarrettAAP
The thought of returning to play for the Sixers in the BBL is appealing to Test star Nathan Lyon.
Camera IconThe thought of returning to play for the Sixers in the BBL is appealing to Test star Nathan Lyon. Credit: AAP

A host of Australian Test stars will return to the Big Bash League after their Ashes success with four players expected to take part for the final round on Wednesday.

Nathan Lyon, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Scott Boland have all been named as confirmed starters for Wednesday's triple-header.

Travis Head and Alex Carey are also expected to make an appearance for Adelaide in the finals with the Strikers having already completed their round matches.

It means the competition will theoretically be at full strength with domestic players for the league's biggest games after a COVID-ravaged season.

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Boland's return for Hobart in their crunch clash with Melbourne Stars is particularly telling given the workload during his first three Tests.

The quick has sent down more than 80 overs in the past three-and-a-half weeks, and had to overcome some soreness to play in the series finale at Hobart.

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However his return for the Hurricanes comes after he began the season in purple before his meteoric rise with the baggy green.

Khawaja also admitted he was "pretty tired" on Tuesday, but he expected to run out for the Sydney Thunder against Melbourne Renegades on Wednesday.

Labuschagne's decision to play for Brisbane against the Sydney Sixers is also notable, given the Heat are already out of finals contention.

Both he and Lyon took a chartered flight to Brisbane on Tuesday for the match, with the Sixers hoping Lyon can be the final piece of their puzzle for an historic three-peat.

Officials will see how he pulls up on Wednesday, with the spinner set to play in the finals even if he doesn't face the Heat.

"He's pretty keen to come back and always says he loves playing for us," Sixers captain Moises Henriques said of Lyon, who captured 16 wickets at 23.56 against England.

"He's just played five Test matches pretty close together and he's been in the bubble, so he might want three or four days to chill out and relax before he comes back, but we'll manage that with him."

It comes after the likes of Mitch Swepson and Michael Neser had already returned to the Heat off Test duties.

Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis have also made their comeback for Perth after acting as reserves for the final Tests while Jhye Richardson will also be a part of the Scorchers finals campaign.

However the club won't bring back Cameron Green, with the allrounder going without a BBL contract this season due to his international commitments.

Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are also without contracts, while Marcus Harris won't play for the Renegades with the club out of finals contention.

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