Pat Cummins in massive BBL announcement ahead of Test cricket series

The Sydney Thunder have made the huge call to sign Australian Test captain Pat Cummins as their marquee supplementary player for the Big Bash League season. Just like Mitchell Starc last week, Cummins has jumped at the opportunity to help his franchise out after Cricket Australia introduced marquee contracts to avoid top Aussie players from missing out on the BBL if they were to become available.

While it appears unlikely Cummins will play any part with his duties as Test captain this summer in Australia's series against Pakistan, but would play if he were for some reason to become available. He will also be seen around the club and will help out throughout the summer.

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“I’m a Western Sydney guy at heart so I’m really glad I can be a part of the team this summer," Cummins said after the announcement. "International duties dictate I can’t be around as much as I’d like but I’m keen to have a voice and back the guys all the way!”

Cummins can be signed on a marquee move after the Steve Smith fiasco a few years ago, with the rule brought in to make sure high-profile players can take part in the competition even if they are not part of the squad for the majority of the campaign. In the 2021/22 season, Smith became available to play in the finals for the Sixers after a cancelled one-day international series.

However, he wasn't able to play because he wasn't under contract with the Sixers. This new rule introduced in 2023 allows teams to sign marquee players in case they become available. The marquee move comes after there was plenty of criticism when Australia's top draw-cards were often overlooked in the Big Bash because of previous contracts.

Mitchell Starc guaranteed fee with Sydney Sixers

Starc is guaranteed a flat $50,000 fee even if he does not play and would receive additional $30,000 match payments for any appearance he makes. Australia's 'big-three' fast-bowlers - Starc, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood - have not been seen in the BBL in recent years, prioritising international duty amid a hectic schedule.

Starc hasn't played in the competition his summer's condensed BBL schedule runs in tandem with the Test program, meaning the three quicks again appear unlikely to feature. But Test teammates including Smith, Nathan Lyon, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja are all set to make cameo appearances.

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