Stars ready to embrace Handscomb in BBL

Dec 13, 2017 - 5:52 AM The Melbourne Stars will welcome Peter Handscomb into the Big Bash League fold if the batsman gets the chop, as expected, from Australia's third Ashes Test side.

Handscomb has missed out on runs so far in the Ashes series and could be dumped from the XI to make room for Mitch Marsh in the Test, starting on Thursday in Perth.

Stars teammate Adam Zampa said his BBL teammates would benefit from his inclusion ahead of their opener in Brisbane next week if that eventuated.

"If he gets dropped, he'll be around the Stars which will be unfortunate for him but, if that does happen, we'll try to get around him," he said on Wednesday.

While Handscomb's class would be a boost for the Stars, his availability dilemma is a problem the mega-money franchise know well.

Each season, the team's insistence on gunning for the biggest names means selecting the team to play each fixture begins with a roll call - with players unavailable through competing Test, ODI and overseas engagements.

This season, more than a dozen of the 18-man squad have international appearances to their name.

Although most are unlikely to brought into national team squads, Zampa is almost certain to be one.

The incumbent ODI spinner will come firmly into the frame for the one-day series with England which will start after the Ashes and clashes with the BBL.

Zampa said the Stars would make do - and not lean on that for another failed tilt at winning a title.

"We're not going to use that as an excuse any more," he said.

"This is our list. It's important that guys like me do work with the guys coming in (as replacements)."

"We've got an elite system which helps guys get to that point. Me playing for the Stars helped me get to ODI cricket a little quicker."

He also failed to back suggestions the Big Bash League had grown to the point where it deserved its own slice of the crowded cricket calendar.

"It's always hard (to find time) in the Australian summer and there's so much cricket after ... like the (Indian Premier League)," he said.

"I don't think it's ever going to happen and it's always a good opportunity when it does happen for young guys to play BBL. That's pretty good for Australian cricket."

Source: AAP