With squads shaping up for the 2020/21 Big Bash League [BBL], it seems teams Down Under have taken a liking towards talent from England.

A host of England internationals have been signed up as overseas players for the BBL which begins on December 10.

While questions remain over when exactly some will begin their BBL stints – following the T20I and ODI series against South Africa a quarantine period will follow upon arrival in Australia – here are the England players who have been signed up so far for BBL 10.

Updated as of December 5, 2020

Tom Banton – Brisbane Heat (withdrawn)*

While the hard-hitting Somerset opener struggled for opportunities in the 2020 IPL – he totalled 18 runs from two games for Kolkata Knight Riders – he was at his best in the last edition of the BBL. Signed by the Heat off the back of a breakout 2019 on the county scene, Banton smashed three half-centuries in seven matches, finishing with a strike rate of 176.98. A 16-ball half-century against Sydney Thunder was the standout display; no wonder the Heat signed him up for another two years back in February.

*Banton pulled out of the tournament on December 5, citing the lengthy time he has spent in bio-secure environments in recent months.

Lewis Gregory – Brisbane Heat

Gregory has been signed up for his first stint in the BBL. Joining up with his Somerset teammate Banton, the all-rounder has played eight T20Is and had franchise experience with stints in both the PSL and BPL. His performances for Rangpur Rangers in the 2019/20 BPL are particularly noteworthy: he finished as his side’s second-highest run-scorer (262 runs at a SR of 140) and second-highest wicket-taker (15 wickets @ 20).

Dawid Malan – Hobart Hurricanes

Malan has launched himself to the top of the ICC’s T20I batting rankings thanks to his consistent performances at first drop for England. While the left-hander has previously played in the PSL, BPL and Mzansi Super League, this will be his first spell in the BBL, marking a return to the country in which he hit his maiden Test century.

Alex Hales – Sydney Thunder

Hales will return to Sydney after impressing for the Thunder last time round. In the 2019/20 BBL, he finished as the second-highest run-getter in the competition, putting up 576 runs on the board. The Notts opener has plenty of BBL experience under his belt: he has also played for Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades.

Sam Billings – Sydney Thunder

On the back of an impressive summer with England – the Kent wicketkeeper-batsman hit his maiden international century against Australia – Billings has landed a place on the roster of Sydney Thunder. Billings has previously played for Sydney Sixers, amassing 283 runs across two seasons at an average of 31.44.

James Vince – Sydney Sixers

Vince is set to line-up for the Sixers for the third season in a row and on the back of helping the Sydney side to the BBL title earlier this year. The Hampshire batsman hit 323 runs in 15 innings as the Sixers won the BBL for the first time since 2012. Vince has previously played for the Sixers’ city rivals Sydney Thunder too.

Tom Curran – Sydney Sixers

Curran has thrived in the BBL for the Sixers over the last two seasons; in 28 matches he has 318 runs at 24.26 and 42 wickets at 19.61. While international commitments meant he missed the closing stages of the Sixers’ title-winning campaign earlier this year, Curran’s performances ensured him a place in the official team of the tournament.

Jason Roy – Perth Scorchers

The England ODI and T20I opener, who has previously played for both Sydney sides, has joined up with the most successful side in BBL history for the 10th edition. Roy endured a lean summer in the international arena against Ireland and Australia but regained his touch in Surrey’s run to the final of the T20 Blast, striking three half-centuries in his last four innings.

Liam Livingstone – Perth Scorchers

The Lancashire batsman enjoyed a strong debut BBL campaign in 2019/20, resulting in Perth Scorchers re-signing him for the upcoming season. Livingstone – who could make his ODI debut on England’s tour of South Africa – was the Scorchers’ leading run-scorer in BBL 09 with 425 runs, including 27 sixes.

Danny Briggs – Adelaide Strikers

Briggs, the leading wicket-taker in T20 Blast history, is set to make his BBL debut after signing up to reunite with his former coach at Sussex, Jason Gillespie. The left-arm spinner played seven T20Is for England from 2012 to 2014.

Jonny Bairstow – Melbourne Stars (withdrawn)*

The England ODI opener has never played in the BBL, with his main experience in foreign T20 leagues coming at the IPL, where he has plied his trade at Sunrisers Hyderabad for the last two seasons and averaged 42 from 21 innings.

*Bairstow has withdrawn from the tournament after the ECB recalled him