The Sydney Sixers are heading into the most dramatic phase of the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26), and the mood inside the camp has completely changed with the return of Australia’s biggest match-winners, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc.
After winning the Ashes 2025-26 against England at home, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc are set to jump back into BBL 2025-26 action, and their arrival is already making waves among the current squad. Both the Ashes winners confirmed that they will turn out for the Sydney Sixers in some of the remaining matches of the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26.
Ashes heroes Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc set to ignite Sydney Sixers’ Big Bash League campaign
Starc comes in after delivering one of the most dominant Ashes performances in recent years, finishing the five-match Test series as the leading wicket-taker with 31 wickets and winning the Player of the Series award. Smith was one of the leading run scorers with 286 runs in four Tests.
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Apart from the senior duo, the young spinner Todd Murphy is also expected to rejoin the Sydney Sixers squad in the ongoing BBL 2025-26. Additionally, the Sixers already have big stars like Babar Azam, Josh Philippe, Ben Dwarshuis, and Sean Abbott, and now Josh Hazlewood is also set to link up with the squad as a supplementary player in the BBL 2025-26.
While fans were excited for the return of superstars, Joel Davies felt the heat straight away, even after delivering a match-winning performance against the Melbourne Stars on January 8, where he was adjudged the Player of the Match.
I think I might be out of the team: Joel Davies
After the match, Davies openly admitted that his place could come under threat once Smith and Starc walk back into the Sixers dressing room. He said that the Sixers will turn into a star-studded squad with their return, forcing the team management to make some tough calls.
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Even with the risk of missing out, Davies said that bringing back players of this quality can only help the Sixers chase another BBL final. Joel Davies told the broadcaster after the BBL clash, “Well, I think I might be out of the team, to be honest.
I don’t know, but yeah, it’s going to be a star-studded line-up, so yeah, there’ll be some tough decisions to be made. But yeah, I think getting those boys back is going to be unreal, and fingers crossed we can get Starckey at some point; that’d be nice as well.”
.@TheoDrop: “You get Smith, Starc and Murphy back in, what does that do for you confidence-wise as a young player?”
Joel Davies: “I think I might be out of the team to be honest.” 😂#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/WnxCbK4sVD
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 8, 2026
Mitchell Starc to pull on magenta after 10 years, Steve Smith ready for another BBL season
Mitchell Starc will pull on the magenta colors again after a long gap, as he is set for his first Big Bash League appearance since the fourth season. He has played only 10 games in the league, but he has made a strong impact with his pace and control for the Sixers.
On the other hand, Steve Smith is also set to continue his BBL journey with the Sydney Sixers. The senior batter is returning for the fourth season in a row. Over the years, Smith has been one of the most reliable batters in the league, piling up close to 1,200 runs for the Sixers so far.
